Sir Dave Brailsford has lifted the lid on on Sir Jim Ratcliffe's takeover bid of Manchester United, revealing they are "very keen" to get a deal over the line.
Former British cyclist Brailsford is the director of sport at Ratcliffe's company, Ineos, who are frontrunners, alongside Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim, to succeed the Glazers.
And Brailsford, 59, who is currently working at French side Nice - also owned by Ineos - opened up on their desire to put pen to paper on a deal for the club amid fears the the Glazers could not sell.
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Speaking to ITV Sport at the 2023 Tour de France, he said: "Obviously we've been involved and it's something that we're very keen to do. It's not something we can discuss in detail, we've got to sign up to NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) and all the rest of it.
"But it's an ongoing process and we'd very much like to do it. To be custodians of one of one of the biggest sporting teams, brands, in the world and trying to really support the team and go back to the success they deserve.
"And also the fanbase. I've worked in Manchester for a long time, we saw the team become a global phenomenon, Team Sky have done the same. I know Manchester really well so you get a sense of what the club is all about and what the fans want. If we're part of the process, we hope to do that."
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In the meantime, rival bidder Sheikh Jassim has reportedly become frustrated with the lack of progress in talks with the Glazer family, but has 'everything ready' to should they be successful.
That's according to The Express, who state that Sheikh Jassim's Nine Two Foundation are now "in a position to begin the completion process if their bid is selected as they have 'everything ready' in terms of legal and logistical preparations."
Topics: Manchester United, Football, Premier League
Joe Adams