Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani submitted a new bit to buy Premier League club Manchester United on Sunday.
Originally, there had been a deadline for all bids to be submitted by Wednesday, but Sheikh Jassim’s representatives were granted an extension and have returned with an improved bid which is “highly competitive but also considered and rational,” Sky News reported.
The offer is believed to be worth around GBP 5 billion ($6.12 billion).
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS also submitted a revised bid on Thursday night, and Finnish entrepreneur Thomas Zilliacus also made an increased offer with his holding company XXI Century Capital.
“My bid is built on equality with the fans,” Zilliacus said in a statement.
The drawn-out sale of the club is thought to be taking so long as the incumbent Glazer family value the club at around $7.5bn and no offers to match this have yet been received.
Qatar’s original bid has been reported to be in the region of $6bn.
Man United were put up for sale in November.
A statement from the club at the time said: “Manchester United plc, one of the most successful and historic sports clubs in the world, announces that the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) is commencing a process to explore strategic alternatives for the club.
“The process is designed to enhance the club’s future growth, with the ultimate goal of positioning the club to capitalise on opportunities both on the pitch and commercially.
“As part of this process, the Board will consider all strategic alternatives, including new investment into the club, a sale, or other transactions involving the Company.
“This will include an assessment of several initiatives to strengthen the club, including stadium and infrastructure redevelopment, and expansion of the club’s commercial operations on a global scale, each in the context of enhancing the long-term success of the club’s men’s, women’s and academy teams, and bringing benefits to fans and other stakeholders.
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