Man Utd takeover: Avram Glazer asked: ‘How long will sale take?’

Jacque Talbot

• 14 May 2023 17:41 BST
• 3 min read

Avram Glazer refused to acknowledge a reporter who asked him how long the sale of Manchester United will take.

Sky journalist Tyrone Francis posed the question to the club’s owner as the takeover rumbles on into the halfway point of May. But the American refused to answer or even acknowledge the reporter, simply walking on past him down the corridor at Old Trafford.

It comes after the news that the takeover is expected to drag into next week following the third bids from Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

READ MORE: Man Utd 'snowflakes' slammed by ex-boss

The process is in danger of impacting the summer transfer window, with the Glazers setting three rounds of bids so far.

Journalist Ben Jacobs reported that at this point there is no preferred bidder, but that could change next week. The CBS reporter states that those close to Ratcliffe’s Ineso group are ‘cautiously optimistic’ but they are still yet to hear anything back from the Glazers about being granted a period of exclusivity.

The Times report that they may launch a last-gasp 11th-hour fourth bid to snub Ineos in the takeover race. So far, the two rival bidders have submitted their proposals to the Glazers - with the Qatari group bidding for a 100 per cent stake, while Ratcliffe has offered 50 per cent, allowing for the Glazers to keep a proportion of the side. The final bid from Qatar was thought to be around £5 billion, but the Glazers value Man Utd more like £6b.

Man Utd owner Avram Glazer remaining tight lipped about a Man Utd sale. Lots of speculation if it’s Sir Jim Ratcliffe or Sheikh Jassim that’ll get the keys to Old Trafford. Still questions about whether he and his brother Joel will stay as part of any deal with Sir Jim Ratcliffe pic.twitter.com/xctkM7mrpn

— Tyrone Francis (@TJFrancisLive) May 14, 2023

Possible fourth Qatar bid

But The Times report that the prospect of a fourth blockbuster bid from Qatar is a possibility that cannot be dismissed. Other reports from France's RMC Sport say that the Qatar group have not given up hope in their pursuit of Man Utd, even if they are still some £1bn short of the Glazer’s asking price.

Meanwhile, Ratcliffe's final offer could reach up to £6bn over a period of time, with it even thought that the proposal could see the Glazers leave entirely in a couple of years.