The race to buy Manchester United has taken another twist after Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani made a dramatic fourth bid for the Red Devils, according to reports.
The Guardian reported the improved offer valued the Premier League club at around £5.5bn and included the clearance of the £1bn debt and a fund solely for the club and surrounding community.
The renewed offer is £500mln higher than his previous 'final' bid and was submitted to the Raine Group, the New York-based investment bank overseeing the sale of the club, on Tuesday morning, according to Sky and The Times.
However, it is still shy of the £6bn the Glazer family are understood to be looking for.
More than two weeks have passed since Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the Ineos owner, each submitted what were supposedly final bids for the Premier League club.
But the Guardian reported that Sheikh Jassim’s intent on becoming United’s next owner moved him to increase his price.
Ratcliffe had appeared to be in pole position with The Times reporting the Raine Group were ready to discuss details of a sale with the UK billionaire businessman.
But the 'Fergie time' bid by the Qatari Sheikh may have muddied the waters.