SIR Jim Ratcliffe is now the hot favourite to win the bidding war for Manchester United, according to reports.Through his firm Ineos, the British billionaire, 70, has made an offer in excess of £5billion, say the Daily Mail.
Meanwhile, there has been a twist in the Harry Kane saga as the England icon is reportedly ready to run down his contract in North London.
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Keep up to date with the latest on the takeover saga at Old Trafford…
Ten hag demands new No9
Erik ten Hag has told United chiefs: Get me a No9.
The Red Devils are determined to land England captain Kane — with Tottenham demanding £100million.
And the Old Trafford club could soon be flush with cash if Sheikh Jassim, who wants Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar, buys the club in a £5.5BILLION takeover.
SunSport understands United stars are desperate for the Glazer family to sell up to end the negative atmosphere and boost their squad with world-class signings.
United fans sang about signing Kane in their 2-2 draw at Spurs on Thursday — after their boss Ten Hag had called him “a great player and personality”.
And now Ten Hag says: “Everyone knows and it is not a secret that long-term and over a whole season we had a shortage of No9s.
“We had the drop out of [Cristiano] Ronaldo, then Anthony Martial was often not available, Jadon Sancho often not available, then you have a shortage of front line players.
“We have players who can play the role but definitely we need some offensive players who are impact and quality players.”
United want to pair Kane and Marcus Rashford together next season in a £600,000-a-week strikeforce.
Ratcliffe favourite for take-over
Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group seem favourites to take control of United after bidding more than Sheikh Jassim.
Britain’s richest man is thought to want a majority share, whereas the Qatari banker wants a 100% buy-out
Ratcliffe was at first understood to be targeting all the Glazers’ 69% share.
But now it’s thought he might reduce that to slim majority share – to enable co-chairmen Joel and Avram Glazer to retain some link with the club.
Chong suffers nasty calf injury
Ex-Manchester United winger Tahith Chong was rushed to hospital after being stretchered off with a nasty looking calf injury while playing for Birmingham.
During a 2-0 defeat to Coventry, the 23-year-old winger went down midway through the second half following a challenge from Jake Bidwell.
He could be seen on the floor in some distress, holding the back of his leg as medics rushed to his aid.
And after receiving treatment, Chong, who played 16 times for Man Utd, left the field on a stretcher.
He was replaced by a former Red Devils team-mate in loanee Hannibal Mejbri.
Birmingham manager John Eustace confirmed after the game that Chong had gone to hospital for a scan.
Maguire tipped to weigh up future
Harry Maguire fears he may have to quit Manchester United in order to play at Euro 2024.
But there will be plenty of transfer offers for the defender.
The Red Devils skipper, 30, is struggling for game time under new boss Erik ten Hag.
Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez are the first-choice centre-backs while Victor Lindelof and even Luke Shaw have regularly been picked ahead of the ex-Leicester man, who came on for the final two minutes of the Carabao Cup final win.
And in a further blow, Ten Hag labelled Bruno Fernandes “our captain” despite Maguire being the official skipper at Old Trafford.
Now the Daily Mail report the £85million man is worried the lack of action could see him snu
Ratcliffe ‘hot favourite’ to take over Red Devils
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is now the hot favourite to win the bidding war for Man Utd, according to reports.
Through his firm Ineos, the British billionaire, 70, has made an offer in excess of £5billion, say the Daily Mail.
Ratcliffe is desperate for a 69 per cent stake in the club, or more than 50 per cent if Joel and Avram Glazer perform a sensational u-turn and decide to stay at the club.
On Friday, sources close to Sheikh Jassim, who is also in the running to buy the Red Devils, revealed his bid had broken the £5billion barrier.
However, that has since been quashed with sources close to US merchant bank Raine Group, who are managing the bidding process, claiming that the Ineos offer values the club at much higher.
Ever since United were put up for sale in November, Ratcliffe and Jassim have remained interested parties in acquiring the Premier League giants.
Before an earlier deadline, both Ratcliffe and Jassim had said they had made offers, although it was later confirmed they had both asked for an extension on the deadline.
The final bids were made before Friday’s deadline, with the Glazers now mulling over the offers.
A decision for the preferred bidder could be made within the next 10 days.
Sheikh Jassim has made no secret that he would want a 100 per cent stake in the club.
Stelling quitting after 25 years
Jeff Stelling has announced he’s stepping down as Soccer Saturday host – after a whopping 25 YEARS at the helm.
The 68-year-old’s final broadcast – which will no doubt be watched by thousands of long-time fans of the show – will be on May 28.
An emotional Stelling announced his departure live on air and received rapturous applause from the pundits in the studio and the film crew behind the camera.
He said: “I’ve been at Sky for more than 30 years and loved every moment of my time as part of the Soccer Saturday team.
“It is now the right time to move on and give Sky Sports viewers a break from my relentless rants, bad gags and over-the-top celebrations of Hartlepool United goals.
“It’s been a lot of fun – for me at least!”
Footie fans were quick to react to the news of Stelling’s departure.
One tweeted: “Sad to see Jeff Stelling stepping down at Sky Sports.
“An absolute titan. Simply won’t be the same without him.”
Another said: “Gutted Jeff Stelling is leaving Soccer Saturday. He was fantastic in it. End of an era.”
Real tipped for Bellingham talks
Real Madrid are reportedly preparing to send officials to Germany to talk to Jude Bellingham about signing for the club.
Borussia Dortmund’s England midfielder, 19, has been heavily linked with Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea, with PSG also said to be interested.
Liverpool pulled out of the race as they look for better value – as Bellingham is valued at around £130million.
And according to Marca, United, City and Chelsea could be set to miss out on him too as Real Madrid step up their pursuit.
The Spanish giants are set to fly representatives over to Dortmund in the next few days for talks with Bellingham.
They are understood to have a “direct” line of communication with the midfielder.
And they are optimistic the former Birmingham man will join them on June 30.
But Dortmund are holding out hope of keeping him for one more season.
Prem giants queue up for Jonathan
Manchester United and Chelsea are set to duke it out for striker Jonathan David this summer, according to reports, writes CHISANGA MALATA.
The Canada international has caught the eye of several clubs this season with a string of scintillating displays for Ligue 1 big boys Lille.
Former Gent hitman David is said to have a number of clubs interested in acquiring his services.
And according to French newspaper L’Equipe, Prem rivals United and Chelsea will battle it out to bring him to England this summer.
It’s also claimed that managerless Tottenham also hold an interest in snapping up the 23-year-old.
David has been in fine form for Paulo Fonseca’s side – who are currently fifth in the Ligue 1 table – this season.
Young teases Fergie
Ashley Young spoke with his former boss Sir Alex Ferguson this week, writes CHARLIE WYETT.
And Young, 37, who spent 8½ years at Manchester United and won the title there in 2013, is hoping to see Fergie again tomorrow to discuss a Premier League double for the Villans.
He said: “I spoke to the boss this week.
“We will have a quick sit down after the game and hopefully we can talk about us having won three points.
“We beat United in the league this season although lost there in the League Cup.
“I got a really nice reception when going back there which meant a lot. I had a fantastic time there.”
As for United under Erik ten Hag, Young said: “They are a lot better.
“It will take more than one season to get it sorted but success is coming back — although hopefully not against Villa.”
Villa travel to United unbeaten in ten and sit six points adrift of tomorrow’s hosts, but have played two games more.
Chelsea vs United for David?
Manchester United and Chelsea are regarded as way out in front in the pursuit of Lille striker Jonathan David.
Arsenal have also been linked with the Canadian speedster.
But reports today suggest the race for the ex-Gent star, 23, is narrowing.
Harry wants regular football to boost Euro 2024 hopes
Harry Maguire fears he may have to quit Manchester United in order to play at Euro 2024.
But there will be plenty of transfer offers for the defender.
The Red Devils skipper, 30, is struggling for game time under new boss Erik ten Hag.
Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez are the first-choice centre-backs while Victor Lindelof and even Luke Shaw have regularly been picked ahead of the ex-Leicester man, who came on for the final two minutes of the Carabao Cup final win.
And in a further blow, Ten Hag labelled Bruno Fernandes “our captain” despite Maguire being the official skipper at Old Trafford.
Now the Daily Mail report the £85million man is worried the lack of action could see him snubbed by Gareth Southgate at next year’s major tournament.
Young at heart
Ashley Young spoke with his former boss Sir Alex Ferguson this week.
And Young, 37, who spent 8½ years at Manchester United and won the title there in 2013, is hoping to see Fergie again tomorrow to discuss a Premier League double for the Villans.
He said: “I spoke to the boss this week.
“We will have a quick sit down after the game and hopefully we can talk about us having won three points.
“We beat United in the league this season although lost there in the League Cup.
“I got a really nice reception when going back there which meant a lot. I had a fantastic time there.”
Are they four real?
Gary Neville slammed FOUR Arsenal players for failing to “pull the team together” during their 4-1 defeat to Manchester City.
Speaking on The Overlap, he said: “I look at Martin Odegaard, fantastic professional. Oleksandr Zinchenko, great professional.
“But when you actually get to the highest pressurised moments in the biggest matches in the crux of the season, are they leaders then?
“Arsenal’s senior players, Partey, Zinchenko, Odegaard, in the most difficult period – when those younger players like Saka and Martinelli needed that guidance, Jesus needed telling to stop running around and just stand up front and be really disciplined in how you play – they didn’t impact the rest of their teammates on the pitch, I don’t believe.”
Ron his game
Cristiano Ronaldo gained almost 170 million social media followers in a year, figures reveal.
It cemented the former Man United ace’s position as the most followed footballer in the world.
Ronaldo, 38, now with Saudi side Al-Nassr, has 855 million followers across all his accounts.
Argentinian World Cup winner Lionel Messi, 35, has the next biggest presence, gaining 147 million users in a year to take his total to 579 million.
Brazil star Neymar is third with 403 million followers, then France’s Kylian Mbappé with 132.5 million.
Brazilian Vinícius Jr is fifth on 62.6 million, according to data website Football Benchmark.
Credit: Getty
Royal move
The Premier League have asked clubs to play the national anthem on the weekend of the King’s coronation.
The ten games in matchweek 35 have been scheduled to avoid clashing with next Saturday’s ceremony.
And in a gesture of support for the new monarch, the Daily Mail report the Premier League contacted the ten home teams to strongly suggest a series of moves to mark the occasion.
That includes playing God Save The King as players stand around the centre circle.
Clubs are also being encouraged to display the official portrait of the King and The Queen Consort and the Coronation Logo on the big screens and on social media and an article in the matchday programmes.
It is said the majority of the home clubs have agreed to play the song.
However, some fans have been known to boo the anthem in the past.
And it could put clubs in a difficult position as they would likely face criticism if they did not play it or if it was met with jeers inside the stadium.
Flop Gun
Gary Neville claims he knew that Arsenal would get “battered” by Manchester City before the game had even kicked off.
The Gunners suffered a 4-1 defeat to Pep Guardiola’s side on Wednesday.
Speaking on The Overlap, the former Man Utd defender said: “I think coming to Manchester City in a game like this, I think it warranted potentially looking at the game differently.
“If you’re conceding goals against Southampton, Bournemouth, and West Ham, you’re definitely going to concede goals against Manchester City.
“We have a group don’t we [with Jamie Carragher], a group chat and honestly I saw them in the tunnel and I said: ‘Arsenal are going to have to do very well here not to concede four.
“Literally in the tunnel, you just thought, they’re going to get absolutely battered, I didn’t think that really a week ago or a few days ago, I thought it would be tight.”
Party time
Alejandro Garnacho celebrated his new Manchester United contract by hiring out an entire restaurant.
The Argentine winger, 18, put pen to paper on a fresh deal at Old Trafford on Friday.
The new terms tie him down with the Red Devils until 2028.
And the teenager was understandably keen to mark the occasion with his girlfriend Eva Garcia and family.
The group headed to the luxurious Victors restaurant in Hale, Cheshire.
Pictures showed Garnacho stepping out of a chauffeur-driven black Mercedes people carrier with his dyed bleach-blonde hair, Louis Vuitton t-shirt and beige trousers with matching trainers.
In no Harry
Harry Kane is open to running down his Tottenham contract, according to reports.
SunSport revealed last month that Manchester United are confident they can sign the Spurs striker, should the North Londoners miss out on a Champions League spot.
Kane, 29, has 14 months remaining on his Tottenham deal, and figures within the club are growing doubtful over whether he will pen a new one.
According to the Telegraph, the England skipper would consider seeing out his deal at Tottenham before leaving on a free transfer.
Man United would be willing to offer him a £100,000 boost on his current £200k-a-week Spurs deal.
While players leaving on free transfers can often command huge signing-on-fees.
And reports also claim Spurs boss Daniel Levy is expecting a shock bis from rivals Chelsea for Kane.
Credit: Getty
Mag-pied
Harry Maguire fears he may have to quit Manchester United in order to play at Euro 2024.
But there will be plenty of transfer offers for the defender.
The Red Devils skipper, 30, is struggling for game time under new boss Erik ten Hag.
Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez are the first-choice centre-backs while Victor Lindelof and even Luke Shaw have regularly been picked ahead of the ex-Leicester man, who came on for the final two minutes of the Carabao Cup final win.
And in a further blow, Ten Hag labelled Bruno Fernandes “our captain” despite Maguire being the official skipper at Old Trafford.
Now the Daily Mail report the £85million man is worried the lack of action could see him snubbed by Gareth Southgate at next year’s major tournament.
Credit: Getty
MORNING, UNITED FANS
Neymar and Harry Kane could spearhead United’s attack next season after Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos group both put in takeover bids.
Last night’s 10pm deadline for offers to buy out or invest in the Red Devils passed with dramatic results.It’s thought Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim’s revised proposal is worth up to £5.5bn for full club ownership PLUS a huge sum for rebuilding Old Trafford and the Carrington training ground.
And the main speculation is that he wants to bring in Brazil superstar Neymar to showcase his revolution.
The Sheikh’s entourage is already sounding out their fellow Qatari owners of PSG over Neymar.
It comes amid suggestions United are also prepared to bid big for England skipper Kane.
Tottenham immediately pledged to fight to keep the 29-year-old.
And the striker is reportedly weighing up the option of running down his contract until the summer of 2024.But the unlikely double coup of recruiting Neymar AND Kane would surely win over many Red Devils’ fans.Meanwhile, United have reportedly been joined by Chelsea and Tottenham in pursuing Lille’s Canada frontman Jonathan David
Finally, United host Aston Villa in the Prem tomorrow, with Harry Maguire hoping to return in central defence after a “training injury”.
Unite and Chelsea ‘interested’ in £57m David
Chelsea are reportedly interested in a £57million transfer for Jonathan David, along with Man Utd and Spurs.
French outlet L’Equipe have claimed the trio are candidates to sign the Lille forward this summer.
Only Kylian Mbappe has outscored the Canadian in Ligue 1 this season, with David netting 21 goals and adding four assists in 31 games.
There is a growing expectation he will take the next step this summer.
Chelsea have suffered greatly without a clinical scorer this season.
Latest – Sheihk Jassim eyeing Neymar
Sheikh Jassim’s entourage is already sounding out their fellow Qatari owners of PSG in a bid to land Neymar as the new face of United, writes MARTIN LIPTON.
Neymar, who moved to Ligue 1 in a £198m deal from Barcelona in 2017, has two years left on his current PSG contract.
His relationship with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe has been problematic at times and it is believed the South American, on a staggering £490,000 per WEEK, would be keen on a move to the Prem.
Landing Neymar would be a huge coup for Sheikh Jassim, who feels his bid, which would leave United debt-free for the first time in two decades, represents the best option for the club and fans.
Breaking – Man Utd takeover bids submitted
Qatari Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani wants Brazilian superstar Neymar to spearhead his Manchester United revolution IF he wins the battle to control Old Trafford.
Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos group both put in their THIRD bids for the club just before tonight’s 10pm deadline.
The Qatari banker’s revised proposal is understood to be worth up to £5.5bn for full ownership of the club PLUS a huge extra sum for rebuilding Old Trafford and the Carrington training ground.
Kane ‘open to running down contract’
Harry Kane is open to running down his Tottenham contract, reports tonight suggest.
SunSport revealed last month that Manchester United are confident they can sign the Spurs striker, should the North Londoners miss out on a Champions League spot.
Kane, 29, has 14 months remaining on his Tottenham deal, and figures within the club are growing doubtful over whether he will pen a new one.
According to the Telegraph, the England skipper would consider seeing out his deal at Tottenham before leaving on a free transfer.
Man United would be willing to offer him a £100,000 boost on his current £200k-a-week Spurs deal.
While players leaving on free transfers can often command huge signing-on-fees.
Ex-United star follows Dad’s footsteps
Former Man United star Nani has seen his son follow in his footsteps after signing for his former club.
Son, Lucas, has signed a contract with Sporting Lisbon, where Nani played during his youth career.
Nani joined the Sporting CP youth team back in 2003, winning the National Junior Championship in 2004-05, before making his first-team debut early in the 2005-06 season.
He signed for Manchester United in 2007, who paid about £22million for the young winger.
The current Melbourne Victory player posted a picture on Twitter of Lucas signing a contract with Sporting.
He captioned it with an emoji of a pen, a green heart and a lion.
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