Man Utd takeover: Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim to ‘complete’ £6bn buyout

Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al Thani will complete his takeover of Manchester United by mid-October, according to reports.

News surrounding the takeover has gone quiet in the last two months, with the Raine, the merchant bankers handling the sale on the Glazers’ behalf, not responding to bids from both Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe that were lodged in April and June respectively.

But the Sun report that the deadlock could be coming to an end, with Qatar’s £6bn offer set to beat that of Ineos. The outlet claim things will be wrapped up in the next two months, with a full takeover of the club set to be completed that will bring an end the Glazers’ 18-year association with the club.

The Sun add that an announcement could be made next month, with the Qatari bid set to wipe out United’s £725m debt. Sheikh Jassim also does not plan to take any future dividends from the club in the coming years, as has been common practice under the Glazers, while the elusive Qatar national will provide funds to redevelop United’s stadium and training ground, after completing a takeover.

United were effectively put up for sale in November last year, and the ongoing process has detracted from Erik ten Hag’s running of first-team operations at Old Trafford ever since. The uncertainty has impacted internal budgets, long-term planning and the general mood around the club.

While a Qatar takeover would delight some fans given the owner’s vast wealth, many others may feel a sense of unease given the Arab nation’s human rights record.