(Football news) Manchester United’s potential takeover could intensify by Wednesday with five to eight bids expected for the club. The Glazers are willing to sell the club but only if their price valuation is met, which still remains significantly higher than what bidders are open to paying yet. However, they are willing to step away from the negotiations if there is no appropriate offer and are also open to raising capital to invest into the club and pay the debt. As of now there are no favourites although one could emerge after Wednesday’s deadline and reports have emerged that Sheikh Jassim is willing to overpay to buy the club.

There remains a realistic possibility of the Glazers retaining their share by agreeing a minority deal, especially considering the team’s performances have improved and a new strategy is in place at the club. An institution like Manchester United is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many buyers and if a takeover goes through, the club isn’t expected to be on the market for at least another 20 years. That itself could be enough of an incentive for prospective buyers to do what it takes to ensure the deal goes through but Sir Jim Ratcliffe has said that he won’t pay a “stupid price” for Manchester United, despite being interested in the takeover.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Sir Jim Ratcliffe said “How do you decide the price of a painting? How do you decide the price of a house? It’s not related to how much it cost to build or how much it cost to paint. What you don’t want to do is pay stupid prices for things because then you regret it subsequently.” The 70 year old said his intention to buy Manchester United is “purely in winning things” and considers the club a “community asset”. The INEOS owner personally visited Old Trafford and the Carrington training ground and are expecting to place a second bid for the club.

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