Man Utd takeover: Sheikh Jassim’s quit threat, Glazer part-sale belief, Ten Hag impact
Another day of the summer transfer window has passed, and there has still been no clarity over the future of Manchester United. The Glazers are yet to announce their preferred bidder for a takeover, but there continues to be plenty of noise and speculation keeping supporters and other outsiders occupied.
Sheikh Jassim’s quit threat
Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani may be the frontrunner to complete a takeover, and his actions this month seem to have pushed him into that place.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe was considered the frontrunner due to his majority stake bid allowing the Glazers to retain a role at Old Trafford.
However, Sheikh Jassim’s improved fifth bid gave the American family something to ponder.
And according to the Financial Times, along with his ‘take-it-or-leave-it’ stance, he threatened to walk away from the process if he didn’t gain clarity over the situation.
His strategy in the closing stages has seemingly put him in the driver’s seat, with reports claiming he is negotiating exclusivity.
And as confidence in the Sheikh Jassim camp grows, pessimism elsewhere does the same.
According to CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs, minority investors in the running are no longer confident the Glazers will opt to take that route.
He told Football Fan Cast: “My understanding is that the minority investors are largely just waiting at this point.
“They now have lower confidence that option will be one that the Glazers take. It looks like the focus is now on the two main groups, INEOS and the Nine Two Foundation.
“Of course, no sale can ever be ruled out, but I wouldn’t want to go in and paint to Manchester United fans that that is a likely scenario.”
Erik ten Hag impacted
Erik ten Hag will have likely hoped for a bumper transfer kitty to mark the start of a new era at Old Trafford this summe
However, with the Glazers reportedly expected to remain in control going into next season, his budget remains thin due to Financial Fair Play limitation
According to The Athletic, United are working on transfers, but under the Glazer budget, despite the likelihood of an upcoming takeove
It has left Ten Hag having to balance his funds as he searches for a goalkeeper, midfielder and striker at the very least. Player sales will prove crucial in the coming monthsr.s.r. months.
