Sky Sports reporter drops major Man Utd takeover update as second bid revealed

Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani will submit a second bid for Manchester United on Wednesday, it has been reported.

Sheikh Jassim's Qatari delegation visited United on Thursday to assess the Premier League club's facilities and hold talks with its executives and Raine, who are conducting the sale on behalf of the current owners, the Glazers.

Sky Sports News say sources in the United States have told them the talks were 'positive' and that Sheikh Jassim's advisers are now putting together a new bid which is expected to be submitted by close of business on Wednesday.

It comes after he had already made an indicative offer for the club before a soft deadline more than a month ago.

"Sheikh Jassim will make his second bid for Man United on Wednesday evening," tweeted Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol.

"His advisers are now working on putting together a new bid which is expected to be submitted by close of business on Wednesday.

"Growing confidence among bidders that Glazers are willing to sell the club."

The Glazers believe Manchester United is worth £6bn and it is claimed that Sheikh Jassim is now 'willing to overpay' for the club, despite initially holding reservations.

His stance is said to have softened after the Qatari delegation's trip to Old Trafford.

Sky Sports News has been told by sources in New York that "there should be no doubt at all that Sheikh Jassim wants to be the owner and custodian of United".

Ratcliffe expected to submit second bid

He faces competition, however, with Britain's richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe also expected to make a second bid for the club later this week.

Unlike Sheikh Jassim, Ratcliffe visited United on Friday as part of an INEOS delegation which held similar meetings with the club's executives and Raine, with the British billionaire pictured outside Old Trafford.

"It's an interesting contrast with Sheikh Jassim. Sir Jim was happy to be filmed and photographed, and it was significant that [Man Utd CEO] Richard Arnold was there to greet him when he arrived, shaking his hand and being photographed then too," said Solhekol.

"It gives you another sense that maybe the Glazers are serious about selling Man Utd.

"This was a high-powered delegation from INEOS, he was there with the two co-owners, Andy Currie and John Reece. Sir Dave Brailsford, who used to be the director of cycling at Team Sky - he's now INEOS' director of sport and he was there too."

Elliott Investment Management has also made it through to the second stage of the bidding process.

However, the American firm is believed to offering funding to the club, rather than attempting a full takeover.