Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Jaber Al Thani have submitted a bids to buy Manchester United.
The two parties have lodged their offers, with a ‘soft deadline’ for bids set at 10pm, February 17.
Manchester-born billionaire Rafcliffe believes he can be the ‘long-term custodian for the club’ according to The Telegraph.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Jassim is the chairman of QIB [Qatar Islamic Bank] and claims to be a lifelong supporter of Man United.
The Glazer family, who bought United in 2005, announced in November they are considering selling the Old Trafford club as they ‘explore strategic alternatives’.
The amount offered to purchase the club from the Glazers has not been disclosed but ‘will be completely debt-free via Sheikh Jassim’s Nine Two Foundation’ in his bid.
A statement from Al Thani read: “Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Jaber Al Thani today confirmed a bid for 100 per cent of Manchester United Football Club.
“The bid plans to return the club to its former glories both on and off the pitch, and – above all – will seek to place the fans at the heart of Manchester United Football club once more.
“The bid will be completely debt free via Sheikh Jassim’s Nine Two Foundation, which will look to invest in the football teams, the training centre, the stadium and wider infrastructure, the fan experience and the communities the club supports.
“The vision of the bid is for Manchester United to be renowned for footballing excellence and regarded as the greatest football club in the world.
“More details of the bid will be released, when appropriate, and when the bid process develops.”
The Sheikh’s father, Hamad Bin-Jaber al-Thani, served as the country’s foreign minister and prime minister throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
His son, born in 1982, is chairman at QIB, one of the country’s leading banks and was formerly a board member at Credit Suisse.
Sheikh Jassim was educated at the Royal Miliary Academy in Sandhurst, and graduated as Officer Cadet.
His bid to buy United is likely to be rivalled by a number of other parties, including the British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who recently expressed his interest.
The Raine Group, who are managing the potential sale of United for the Glazer family, had asked for initial bids to be tabled by 10pm on Friday.
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