On Man Utd takeover: Sheikh Jassim ‘ready to look elsewhere’ as new details come to light
Sheikh Jassim will look to buy another Premier League side if he fails to acquire Manchester United, it has been claimed. The Qatari billionaire has made five offers for the club so far. But with the Glazers still undecided over what to do over at Old Trafford, the situation continues to rumble on.
Sheikh Jassim made his fifth and final bid for United over a month ago and is yet to hear back from the Glazers.
He remains in a fight with Sir Jim Ratcliffe, though it’s the Qatari billionaire who appears to be in pole position to strike a deal.
And BBC Sport journalist Simon Stone, speaking to the Stretford Paddock, has claimed Sheikh Jassim is likely to look elsewhere if he misses out on United.
He said: “If that is rejected then Qatar’s interest in the Premier League, I assume, will move somewhere else.
“That could be a Tottenham. It’s been spoken about before they’ve got the location, got the stadium, got the training ground.
“It could be a West Ham. It could be anyone.”
For now, things have gone quiet.
Many expected clarity on the takeover process to be provided at the end of last season following the club’s FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City
Fast-forward to now and that’s yet to happen.
The Glazers promised better communication with supporters in the wake of the failed European Super League plot of 2021, when they delivered a grovelling apology.
Yet they’ve flatly refused to answer questions and many at United are in a state of flux as a result.
Sheikh Jassim seems to be the favourite among United fans, with large numbers wanting the mysterious figure to seize power
They’ve seen the impact a takeover has had at fierce rivals Manchester City, who were purchased by Abu Dhabi all the way back in 2008.
But with Ratcliffe willing to let the Glazers stay, albeit in reduced roles, there’s still no guarantee Sheikh Jassim will win the race.
While the takeover saga remains ongoing, Erik ten Hag is hoping to add to his squad.
He’s already signed Mason Mount from Chelsea, with the England international arriving in a huge £55million deal.
But Ten Hag knows United need further reinforcements if they’re to challenge for the biggest trophies on offer.
United are pressing ahead with plans to sign goalkeeper Andre Onana from Inter Milan in the wake of David De Gea’s recent release.
And they’re also eyeing a new forward, with Rasmus Hojlund appearing to be their No 1 target.
As for Ratcliffe, meanwhile, the INEOS chief recently confirmed he was still hoping to buy United.
“We still very much would like to do it. There is still a process, we are in the process,” he said.
“We have a good offer. We have met the Glazers a couple of times and had a good conversation but at the end of the day, it’s their decision.
“We still very much would like to do it. I also believe we would do a good job and do it for the right reasons. We keep very focused on it.
“They aren’t making them any more, Manchester United and these type of clubs.
“It’s like art or areas like that when you have special things and their value continues to pick up over time because they are very special and rare.”
