The Manchester United takeover saga continues to rumble on with seemingly no end in sight.
We know Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani are competing with each other to complete a takeover from the Glazers. Reports suggest the latter is in the driving seat but sources close to the Qatari's camp last week ruled out being on the verge of exclusivity.
Since then, we have gotten no closer to discovering who will be purchasing the Reds and supporters remain in the dark. MEN Sport has taken a look at the latest gossip surrounding the takeover.
Sheikh Jassim eyeing up alternative to United
According to ESPN journalist Mark Ogden, Sheikh Jassim is weighing up a move for Tottenham Hotspur should his bid to buy United fail. He explained via Football London: "They want the Premier League footprint.
"Somebody told me recently, they said that if the Qataris don't buy Man United, they'll be back and they might end up buying Tottenham. He said, look, if you've got Manchester City owned by Abu Dhabi, you've got Newcastle owned by Saudi Arabia, if Qataris maybe buy Tottenham, then you've got three clubs who can pull away."
Inside Ratcliffe's potential transfer strategy if United bid successful
After a fractious relationship with their current ownership, United fans share a common hope for positivity moving forwards.
The two frontrunners to take over the club are Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani. Speculation suggests the latter is in pole position to complete his purchase with Avram and Joel Glazer reportedly willing to agree to a full sale.
However, sources close to Sheikh Jassim's camp last week refused to admit the process was falling in favour of their bid and appeared to suggest both parties had an equal chance of completing a takeover. Should Ratcliffe win the race to buy United, there remains something of an unknown regarding the money United would have to spend in the transfer market.
It is commonly accepted Sheikh Jassim has the financial power to compete at the top of the Premier League but, due to the INEOS chief's bid only being for a 60 per cent stake in United, supporters are concerned there would be less money for Erik ten Hag to work with in the summer should Ratcliffe move in.
A Manchester Evening News special souvenir edition - Fergie's First - charts United's 1992/93 title-winning campaign and you can get your hands on one here
