BREAKING Sheikh Jassim FINALLY ‘wins Man United takeover race’ after £6bn breakthrough as Glazer sale date set
Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani has won the race to complete a takeover of Manchester United, according to reports. The Qatari banker is allegedly set to buy United from the Glazers after making a significant breakthrough in talks, beating competition from Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
According to The Sun, long-winded discussions over a sale are believed to have taken a huge step forward in recent weeks.
And now a £6billion deal with Sheikh Jassim is close, with his representatives completing due diligence before submitting a final formal offer.
The report claims United are confident a takeover will be completed by November, a year after the Glazer family announced they were seeking investment.
But after a frustrating process for many involved, there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel in bad news to British billionaire Ratcliffe.
His INEOS group are now behind in the race, despite reportedly offering Joel and Avram Glazer the chance to retain a stake in United with their bid.
Sheikh Jassim is said to want a full takeover and has pledged to clear the millions of pounds in debt accumulated since the Glazers’ controversial takeover in 2005.
Uncertainty over the club’s ownership hasn’t stopped Erik ten Hag from completing his desired transfer business this summer, splashing £179million on three arrivals.
Mason Mount kicked off United’s spending by completing a surprise £60m switch from Premier League rivals Chelsea.l
David de Gea’s departure after 12 years with the Red Devils also prompted a move for a goalkeeper.
Inter Milan stopper Andre Onana is the Spaniard’s successor, reuniting with Ten Hag after their successful relationship at Ajax in a deal worth £47m.
And United are expected to unveil their third acquisition before they face Ligue 1 outfit Lens in a pre-season friendly at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Rasmus Hojlund has reportedly completed a £72m move from Atalanta and will meet the United supporters in the same vein as Raphael Varane and Casemiro.
Ten Hag will hope the 20-year-old bolsters his attacking firepower and reduces the burden on Marcus Rashford to produce the goods after his career-best 30-goal season.
But there is a widespread acceptance that Hojlund arrives as a raw talent, who Ten Hag must coach to help meet his sky-high potential as a world-class striker.
Despite United’s transfer exploits, no deal will cause more excitement across the football world than a takeover. And the Glazers’ exit could be on the horizon.
