Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani has reportedly moved into pole position to complete a takeover of Manchester United, with the club in talks over granting exclusivity to the Qatari banker.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has also been firmly in the running to purchase the Red Devils, and as recently as last week, the British billionaire was thought to be the favourite to win the race.
However, recent developments have allegedly placed Sheikh Jassim in the driving seat, with the Qatari believed to have made a new offer for the 20-time English champions last week.
According to Reuters, the Qatari is now expected to be named the preferred bidder, with Man United in talks with his consortium over an exclusivity deal.
The report claims that the Glazer family would end their association with the Red Devils under the terms of the agreement, which is not expected to have been the case in Ratcliffe's proposed deal.
During the proposed exclusivity period, Man United would not be able to enter into any discussions with another party, which would put Sheikh Jassim in pole position to complete a takeover.
The Qatari banker wants a 100% purchase, while he has also reportedly made it clear that he is prepared to make significant funds available to improve Old Trafford and the training ground.
Former Man United captain Rio Ferdinand has also claimed on his official FIVE YouTube channel that a Qatari takeover is now close to going through.
"The Man United takeover is imminent. We are hearing the Qatari bid is the one that has been accepted, the one that is imminent and the one that is going to go through. Hallelujah, man. I cannot wait. Please let this happen," said Ferdinand on Thursday.
"Look how long this has gone on for. The Glazers have dug their heels in. It will go to the biggest bidder which is normal in negotiations but I want this to be resolved before the transfer window kicks in and now it is opening and starting to move.
"I have woken up every day hoping that every day there will be a bid accepted. We are hearing that it is close. It will happen in a matter of days, if not a matter of hours.
"If it does not, we do not know how much money we have to spend and United will be playing catch up. So fingers crossed this information is really true – I have it from a good source that it is true."
A recent report claimed that Sheikh Jassim's first target this summer would be Kylian Mbappe, who could potentially be available for transfer, having told Paris Saint-Germain that he will not be signing an extension to his current deal.
The total cost of the deal to buy Man United could reach £6bn, which is allegedly the figure that the Glazer family have always been working towards since signalling a willingness to sell last November.
