Man Utd braced for bid from Saudi Arabia as Qataris plan takeover with Glazers’ deadline for offers TODAY

GROUPS in Saudi Arabia have reportedly joined the race to buy Manchester United.

Current owners the Glazers have set a soft deadline for bids to come in before 10pm on Friday.

AFPManchester United owners the Glazers are looking for a full sale of the club[/caption]

And a number of parties in Saudi Arabia have formally enquired about buying the Red Devils, according to the Telegraph.

It comes as investors in Qatar are planning a £5billion bid for the club.

Brit billionaire and United fan Sir Jim Ratcliffe is also interested in taking over.

The Glazers are said to be keeping their options open ahead of Friday’s deadline.

The Telegraph add that officials working for a number of Saudi groups have “signed for sale materials” ahead of the deadline for bids.

There has been no official offer from Saudi Arabia as of yet, although it’s reported bids have been submitted from elsewhere.

And despite Friday’s deadline, officials in charge of the sale will still consider any bids that come in after it has passed.

While private groups from Saudi Arabia are reported to have joined the race to buy United, the country’s Public Investment Fund are the current owners of Newcastle.

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Saudi groups are reported to have shown interest in taking over at Old Trafford twice in the past.

However, the Glazers were only willing to selling a 20 per cent stake of the club at the time, whereas they are now looking for a full sale.

They are hoping a full sale can be completed by the end of April, with the Telegraph claiming they want £5bn to sell.

United’s share price soared by £334million in a DAY on Thursday ahead of Friday’s deadline for offers.

The price had been £19.87 per share, but after the jump the price rose to £20.35 per share, an increase of over three per cent.

New York investment bank The Raine Group have been enlisted to deal with the sale of the club.