David Ornstein has given an update on the Manchester United takeover process amid a report that Sheikh Jassim's bid has 'won the race'.
The takeover process has been ongoing since November 2022, with Sheikh Jassim's Nine Two Foundation and the joint proposal from Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos among the leading contenders to take over at Old Trafford from the Glazer family.
Sheikh Jassim wants a full takeover of United, while Ratcliffe and Ineos want a majority stake.
But progress has been slow, with various reports claiming via sources earlier last month that it had even been 'paused'.
According to a report by The Sun's Neil Custis on Tuesday, Sheikh Jassim has won the race, with his team now completing due diligence on the club.Custis claims that an announcement over the takeover is pencilled in for mid-October, with a deal completed for a total sum of £6 billion.
The Daily Mail reported in June that Sheikh Jassim's final bid also included planned investment in infrastructure and transfers.
Speaking on Sky Sports News, meanwhile, Ornstein appeared to play down claims that a deal is done.Ornstein, who writes for The Athletic, explained: "We've seen a number of false dawns, going back to before the transfer window, in this prolonged process.
"We've seen one moment, the Qataris were ahead, then the next moment it was Ineos. Then the whole process seemed to be paused."There was a consensus that this would get some sort of resolution after the transfer window, because it's affected them in the transfer market. It's affected so much discourse around the club."The big unanswered question amongst all of it is whether the Glazers really will sell when push comes to shove. So far, we haven't had an answer on that. But perhaps we are getting towards it now."
If a takeover is completed by mid-October, it would allow the new United owner to be in place for the January transfer window.
United have spent a significant amount under Glazer ownership this summer, with deals for Mason Mount, Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund costing over £150 million.
They are also closing in on a £30 million move for Nice centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo, according to French outlet L'Equipe.
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