Manchester Evening News recent claims regarding Manchester United football Club take over saga isn't an encouraging one.
The takeover controversy involving Manchester United has continued this week despite the fans' continued ignorance of the ownership position.
On the surface, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani's last week seemed to go well. According to reports, the Qatari banker was going to get exclusive rights, which would have put him close to finalizing the deal.
These reports, however, were later brushed aside as "pure speculation." According to certain sources, the Middle Eastern billionaire is becoming more confident about purchasing the club, and it is believed that the Sheikh has surpassed Sir Jim Ratcliffe in the race to do so.
Even though Sheikh Jassim may be confident right now, it looks he was on the verge of quitting the race, according to MEN Sport's most recent takeover round-up.
After submitting his sixth proposal for United last week, Sheikh Jassim 'threatened to walk out' from the entire takeover process, the Financial Times reported. His final proposal is thought to have been presented with a "take it or leave it" attitude, and he reportedly refused to resume talks until a preferred bidder had been identified.
Although the report notes that Sheikh Jassim is currently the front-runner to purchase United, he has demonstrated that he may be willing to back out if the sale doesn't move through.
There are presently two reputable buyers vying for Manchester United, according to the Glazer family, the club's owners.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, CEO of the global chemicals business INEOS, is positioned on one side. He grew up in Failsworth and considers himself a United supporter.
His desire to purchase a soccer team has received extensive media coverage. Ratcliffe previously tried unsuccessfully to purchase Chelsea when Roman Abramovich placed the club up for sale. However well-known he may be, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is less well-known.
Ratcliffe wants to buy 60% of United, while Sheikh Jassim has pledged an additional $1 billion (£790 million) in investment on top of his $5 billion (£3.9 billion) bid to buy 100% of the team.
News from last week indicated that Sheik Jassim's firm The Nine Two Foundation was incorporated as a UK firm by Companies House as per Mirror.