This what I've heard/read
***Update***
For those of you that wish to take this at face value, here's the latest update that I've been given:
A final sale figure has been agreed, I hear it's around £560m.
The sales process has been slightly slower than expected - Hicks HAS intervened on a number of issues, the stadium in particular... He wanted to be involved, as a 'third party' in making sure the stadium is built and that his design is the one that's implemented. He also wanted to have his own team, engaged in the construction process. Only these 2 factors have hampered the natural flow of the deal. He has not attempted to force the sales value towards £800m.
Regarding his stadium demands, I'm quite clear he'll have no involvement with the project going forward. I don't know how this has been resolved but I have heard rumours that a small 'working' partnership with businesses in the UAE have been offered to him.
I'm also told that other parties remain interested and despite Hicks being a pain, the other people are willing to move, should the existing deal break down, which is highly unlikely - I mean 99.9% unlikely. The other parties would step in and also insist that Hicks remains outside of the negotiating and stadium construction process.
Basically, Hicks is 'persona non grata'.
I think the 'official' announcement has slipped by a 7 to 10 days because of Hicks' intervention on the stadium but I think we could hear from the week starting 19th July.
I have not been given the name of a manager, although I have been told that the timeframe is dependent on 'outside' factors. Personally, I'm taking this to mean the World Cup but that's a wild guess. I've been reassured that the main target, has been approached and is highly regarded and would suit the job.
So, to sum up...
The sale has been agreed at around £560m
Hicks will not be involved with the stadium construction
Hicks has not scared off other potential investors
It's 99.9% certain that the existing bidders (Abu Dhabi based) will complete the sale
The sale will be completed or announced after 19th July
The new manager is already known to the board and the new owners