Shares of Premier League club Manchester United rose sharply ahead of the deadline for takeover bids and reported interest from Saudi Arabia.

The stock closed at $26.84 on Thursday, up almost 10 per cent, on the New York Stock Exchange, with potential buyers expected to submit initial offers to merchant bank Raine Group, which is handling the sale for United’s current owners, the Glazer family.

With a bid also expected to come from Qatar, reports of a move from Saudi Arabia could heighten the possibility of the sale price reaching an estimated $6 billion.

Jim Ratcliffe, the British billionaire owner of petrochemicals giant INEOS, is the only contender to publicly confirm his intention to bid, but there has been increased speculation about wider interest in recent days.

One British newspaper reported on Thursday that groups in Saudi Arabia are interested in bidding.

Friday has been described as a soft deadline before the sale process gathers pace.

The Glazers, who also own the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, announced on November 21 their intention to seek outside funding. Since then, United’s share price has more than doubled from $13.08 on the day of the announcement.

Saudi interest has long been speculated and latest reports come on the back of an expected bid from another Middle Eastern country, Qatar.

There could also be interest from America after a host of US bidders entered the race to buy Chelsea last year.