Manchester United co-owner Avram Glazer has been spotted leaving a London hotel owned by takeover hopeful Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani’s father. Glazer visited for Sunday’s Women’s FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, but emerging images could suggest that there was more than just one purpose of the business trip.
United lost 1-0 to Chelsea through Sam Kerr’s second-half winner as the club’s wait for a first piece of major women’s silverware continued.
Avram and brother Joel Glazer are reportedly keen to retain a stake in the club, which is said to have tilted the takeover race in British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s favour.
However, the American has sparked speculation by staying at the Claridges Hotel in Mayfair, just five miles from United’s London offices and a short walk from the Raine Group’s base.
He was pictured walking out of the building before climbing into a black Mercedes and leaving the area. Sheikh Jassim’s brother, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani, is also a director of the Maybourne Hotel Group.
According to reports, the Glazers and US merchant bank Raine have selected Ratcliffe as their preferred bidder.
The 70-year-old would take control at Old Trafford, but his offer would give the pair a chance to retain a 20 per cent stake in United, which would be bought out over time.
Sheikh Jassim wants a full takeover, but if Ratcliffe is given a period of exclusivity, he will miss out on final negotiations.
Given the Claridges Hotel’s high-end status, it could be a coincidence that it was Glazer’s HQ over his three-day stay in England.
But with the preferred bidder expected to come to light shortly, there is a possibility that Sheikh Jassim is plotting a final roll of the dice.
Reports claimed his third bid for United didn’t surpass £5billion, falling way short of the Glazers’ £6bn valuation.
But as long as exclusive talks don’t commence, Sheikh Jassim could blow rival suitors out of the water with a world-record offer that the Glazers can’t refuse.
Ratcliffe is said to be confident of becoming his boyhood club’s next owner, but the process is by no means over.
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