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The Glazers have “no plans to inform one group they are the exclusive preferred bidder” in the race to buy Man Utd, according to CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs.
It was announced in November that the Premier League club was exploring “strategic alternatives” to enhance the club’s growth, with a full sale one option being considered.
Both Sheikh Jassim, the chairman of Qatar Islamic Bank and the son of a former Qatari prime minister, and INEOS founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe have lodged public bids for a takeover of the club.
Ratcliffe met the deadline for the third round of bidding at the end of April but the Sheikh and his Nine Two Foundation have since made two more offers for 100 per cent of Man Utd.
Sheikh Jassim submitted his fifth and final bid for the club last week and insisted there would be no more negotiations after Friday, although that offer would remain on the table beyond that point.
But CBS Sports journalist Jacobs has revealed that none of the interested parties in buying Man Utd will be given a “period of exclusivity” and instead will be told when they have ‘actually won’.
Jacobs wrote on Twitter: “Neither Nine Two Foundation or INEOS will be placed in a period of exclusivity in the next step. At this stage, it’s not seen as necessary to conclude the process, which is entering its final weeks. Both groups in deep talks and being readied to ‘win’ or ‘complete’.
“Reason for this is because the process is somewhat transactionally backwards. Many tasks and talks typically associated with a preferred bidder have been done already by both groups. No need to tell one they are ‘exclusive’, and without it, ‘preferred bidder’ title means little.
“As things stand, there are no plans to inform one group they are the exclusive preferred bidder or even name (certainly not publicly or formally, like Chelsea did) a leading suitor.
“Plan is instead to have both groups be ready to complete without either being put in exclusivity. This also allows for maximum competitive tension with both waiting to see if they have the green light to sign. And minority investors, such as Carlyle, also doing the same.
“Important to say, simply for full context, ‘no sale’ is an option as well should no green light be given to anyone. It sounds obvious, and would be deeply unpopular, but the process can result in three things: full sale or change of control, minority sale or ‘no sale’.
“‘Preferred bidder’ was a really important title in the #CFC process (also ran by Raine Group) due to a race against time and multiple suitors. But I understand there are currently no plans to formally name an exclusive preferred bidder.
Football365
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“For clarity, ‘preferred bidder’ implies (and usually comes with) exclusivity since without it door remains open to others and title means little. And usually once a preferred bidder is named there’s certain tasks (whether due diligence or further negotiation) that take place…
“Instead, many of these aspects have been or are being done now. Multiple groups are being lined up for completion, but my understanding is they won’t now be formally told if they are ‘leading’ or ‘preferred’ before effectively being informed they have actually ‘won’.
“Nine Two Foundation are certainly more positive following their improved fifth offer and self-imposed Friday deadline. But they won’t engage further on financials. INEOS sources refer to “positive and ongoing dialogue” and are cautiously optimistic.
“#MUFC fans are frustrated at the lack of clarity, as are the groups, and this is ultimately down to not putting one suitor into an exclusive period. Glazers can amazingly undertake almost the entire process without showing their hand.
“For those asking: preferred bidder tends to come with exclusivity. Without it, any group can continue talks (or change bid & thus dynamic again). So it’s significant because it shows both groups being fully readied for completion before Glazers reveal what they want to do.”
In another report the Daily Mail claims ‘that those acting on behalf of Sheikh Jassim – who at one stage had thought they had lost – now feel that they are very much in the game following the dramatic submission of an improved offer last week.’
Source:Football 365