According to rumors, an agreement put out by potential new owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe would allow Joel and Avram Glazer to continue holding ownership positions at Manchester United.
The INEOS Group’s founder and chairman, British industrialist Ratcliffe, is one of individuals who has indicated interest in purchasing the Premier League team.
One of the alternatives on the table for the American owners, according to reports, would see Ratcliffe acquire a controlling position of more than 50%, with the two Glazers keeping a combined 20%.
Large segments of United’s fanbase, who have pushed for the Glazers to leave Old Trafford since their leveraged takeover of the team in 2005 left it deeply in debt, would not be happy with such a transaction.
The Raine Group, an American bank, is assisting with the club’s sale; the third offer deadline is this Friday.
Following their declaration that they were looking for “strategic alternatives” in November, the Glazer family is now thinking about either selling the club or attracting outside investment.
Along with Ratcliffe, a Qatari consortium under the leadership of Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani and Finnish industrialist Thomas Zilliacus have made public statements about their desire to achieve a full takeover.
Although it is uncertain how many parties have entered the process, American hedge fund Elliott Investment is one more entity that is known to be interested. Elliott Investment has made an offer for a minority ownership.
The Glazers reportedly value the club at £6 billion.