Those close to prospective Manchester United owner Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani expect a decision soon regarding his attempts to buy the club.
Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim is hopeful of completing a move for the Premier League club, having competed with rival bidder Sir Jim Ratcliffe. United's owners the Glazer family began the process back in November, and a decision is thought to be imminent,
Now, according to Bloomberg, Sheikh Jassim's camp are "increasingly confident" of winning the race for the club. Those within the Qatari's inner circle are said to have privately shared their confidence, though an official declaration of the Glazers' intentions is still yet to arrive.
The same report suggests the Glazers could yet make a last-minute decision to remain in charge while taking on outside investment. United's owners have been in charge since 2005, and oversaw the club's listing on the New York Stock Exchange in 2012.
The two main bidders have held differing approaches, while others have entertained the idea of minority investment. Sheikh Jassim's initial communications pointed to a 100 per cent takeover, while Ratcliffe, the INEOS chief who also sits at the helm of French club OGC Nice, had proposed a majority investment.
Initial conversations referenced the possibility of a deal being concluded before the end of the 2022-23 season, something which all involved parties failed to achieve. Just a few weeks remain until the start of the next campaign, with United's first match in the diary for August 14.
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Bloomberg reports that neither spokespeople for the Qatari bid nor the Raine Group - who are overseeing the sale - commented on the matter. The Man Utd takeover process has been subject to a number of delays during more than half a year of negotiations and bids from multiple parties.
A number of questions remain when it comes to what will happen after a takeover goes through. There have been suggestions Sheikh Jassim could delist the club from the New York Stock Exchange, while potential changes around the club's Old Trafford Stadium have also been mentioned.
In mid-June, reports had claimed exclusivity talks had begun between the Glazers and Sheikh Jassim's party following a 'take it or leave it offer'. It soon emerged they were still awaiting clarity from the current owners, but a decision over the future of the club appears to be as close is it has been throughout the process.
