Sheikh Jassim with a final try for Manchester United

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani has made a new bid for Manchester United in what will be his latest attempt to acquire the club. The previous offer from Qatar was worth 5 billion pounds for 100% of the club. However, the Island's media reported a few days ago that the current owners have identified the offer of the other major buyer - Sir Jim Ratcliffe - as the preferred one.

The reason for this is that the British billionaire wants to buy now just over 50% of United, which means that Avram and Joel Glazer will keep their shares. After three years, however, Ratcliffe will be able to buy back their shares. If the ratio between the price offered and the stake Ratcliffe would now acquire for it is taken into account, his offer is closer to Glazer's £6 billion.

Given these sentiments, Sheikh Jassim has decided to raise his bid, the Times claims. The source did not reveal the exact size of the new offer, but stressed that the increase was "significant". It pledged to clear all debts and promised separate investments that would go entirely to the club and the Manchester United community.

This extra feather added to the previous bid is said to be worth around £1bn. So the total value is likely to reach, and perhaps even exceed, £6 billion.

Two days ago, the Mirror revealed that Avram Glazer was spotted at one of the hotels owned by Sheikh Jassim's father. It is not clear whether there was any talk of Manchester United at the time, but the new offer from Qatar arrived after that visit.

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