INEOS chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe remains the front runner to buy Manchester United after long last, despite a recent fifth - and final - bid from Qatari billionaire Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Ratcliffe, who has been a main candidate alongside Sheikh Jassim throughout the saga, is reportedly 'on the brink' of success with his takeover pursuit. It is claimed, by Daily Mail, that a deal could be completed as early as 'the coming days'.
The process has been ongoing ever since November, when the Glazer family came out and welcomed offers for United - whom they have owned since 2005, two years on from buying their first shares. The Qatari bid has been for 100 per cent of the football club, while Ratcliffe wants to buy the Glazer's majority stake and leave them - temporarily - with a minority.
