16 March 2023 , 21:30
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Sheikh Jassim will make an improved bid for Manchester United next week in a move that could leave rival ridder Sir Jim Ratcliffe trailing in his wake.
Representatives of the billionaire Qatari Sheikh visited Old Trafford on Thursday and held what were believed to be broadly positive 10 hour talks with club officials.
The talks included detailed financial discussions over the club, as well as a tour of the Old Trafford stadium and lunch at the club's Carrington training ground.
The Sheikh, who is chairman of the Qatar Islamic Bank, was not present himself for the discussions, but they did involve the president of his Nine Two Foundation Shahzad Shahbaz and the his personal advisor Fady Bakhos.
Jassim was said to be relaxed about the prospect of not being present, as he still views this period of the proceedings as very early and is happy to trust his close advisors.
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The second bid is now expected to come next week, and will exceed the initial £4.5billion offer put in last month.
British billionaire Ratcliffe, the founder of the INEOS group, also put in a bid of that amount, and he is set for his own trip to Old Trafford after watching his current club Nice in action in the Europa Conference League on Thursday night.
The Sheikh's group were given a tour of Old Trafford (Getty Images)Ratcliffe will arrive in Manchester with INEOS co-owners Andy Currie and John Reece, as well as the former British Cycling supremo Sir Dave Brailsford, who is part of the group as a sporting advisor.
Despite Brailsford's involvement, Ratcliffe is not believed to be planning a role at United for the former Team Sky boss or his fellow sporting advisor Jean Claude Blanc.
Ratcliffe, who was born in Manchester, is said to be hopeful that his "personal touch" helps win the club over, although given Qatar's renewed determination he is risking falling behind in the bidding process. He will be expected to prepare his own second bid after his visit.
Raine Group, the American merchant bankers who are overseeing the sale of the club on behalf of the Glazer family, are hoping to see a bidding war drive the price up as the family continue to explore numerous ideas around a full or partial sale.