Just stating the obvious but if SJR/Ineos were the preferred bidders that would have been disclosed at this stage or within the next few days. The season is over and the Glazer tribe will be back in the US, protected by the FBI from any danger.
The only reason for not confirming is that they are trying to extract every last cent.
SJ and SJR must know this but are not that gullible.
SJ knows his bid presents the most money immediately and this is borne out because he is still in the running and hasn't received the f. off sign, as yet. He is not falling for the 'we love the club and want to stay around' bollocks.
SJ's mistake was that he presented his plans in their entirety. He would pay off debt build the stadium, finance transfers buy out the NYSE sharks.
The Glazers don't give a toss about all of that, but they know he has money available to do that and they want that money for themselves. They do not care if debt is paid off or the stadium reconstructed. They have no interest beyond their own bank accounts andthey will be gone.
SJR presents the Glazers with a fall back. However unless SJ bids more the Glazers know that SJR is not going to increase his bid.
SJR's mistake is that they know he is equally desperate and will stick around for as long as necessary.
The bluffers are prancing around like they have suddenly development a passion for cup finals and accellerating the transfer rumours and will probably buy the cheapest option and continue to be linked with every transfer to maintain the charade of a deep interest.
They release information, via their sources, to entice the parties to raise their bids but the bidders are not stupid and have their own crack advisers.
This will be one of the biggest paydays/scams in business history and they are going to make sure they don't lose a dime.
A stalemate.
