Proactive Investors - Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamid Al Thani is expected to make a second bid for Manchester United after his representatives visited the club on Thursday.
All bidders, including Sir Jim Ratcliffe, will be asked to make a second offer in the next 10 days.
The Qatari, who is currently the chair of the Qatar Islamic Bank, made a soft bid before the deadline a month.
According to Sky News, which cites New York sources, the Sheikh “wants to be the owner and custodian of United.”
Talks between the club and a Qatari delegation were said to be positive and constructive over the 10-hour meeting.
The focus of yesterday’s visit was to get a perspective on what they could do with their capital regarding infrastructure, youth development and the women’s team.
While the Sheikh himself did not appear in person, according to Sky Sports, he sent a team of experts in finance, banking, property and law.
Al Thani’s bid has attracted some media attention, given the underlying belief he may be acting on behalf of the Qatari state, and not as an independent investor.
Although the state had expressed an interest in acquiring a Premier League club, the ownership of one would mean it would have to let go of PSG in order to pass muster with UEFA, given that the Qatar Sports Investment (QSI), a subsidiary of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), can't own more than one club in the same competitions.
Al Thani plans to buy Manchester United with his company the NINE TWO Foundation (purportedly monikered after the 'Class of 92' FA Youth Cup winning Manchester United team that famously featured the likes of David Beckham, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt).