Manchester United face nightmare summer if Glazers snub Sheikh Jassim as De Gea ‘concerns’ rise
Manchester United could be heading towards a summer of discontent if current owners the Glazers do not pick Sheikh Jassim and the Qatar-backed bid as the preferred new custodians of the club. United’s takeover saga continues to rumble on as both Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe are awaiting news on who is chosen to succeed the Glazers.
Transfer business is almost certainly being affected by the delay, as current chiefs will be unaware of this summer’s budget under either Jassim or Ratcliffe. The club have already pulled out of any negotiations for Harry Kane owing to financial concerns, while also so far refusing to meet Chelsea’s asking price for another of Erik ten Hag’s targets in Mason Mount.
The Red Devils are said to have a current transfer budget of £120million, though Jassim would be able to add another £50m if successful in taking over the club by fulfilling his vow of clearing their debt according to the Daily Mail. Ratcliffe on the other hand has not made the same promise, as Ten Hag may not get the same cash injection from the INEOS chief.
Without Jassim’s extra £50m, it is unlikely that United will be able to land a marquee striker and a top-class goalkeeper replacement for David De Gea in the same window. They have been quoted fees north of £80m for forward targets Victor Osimhen and Rasmus Hojlund.
De Gea is out of contract at the end of the month and was not named on United’s retained list for the 2023/24 season amid uncertainty over his future. A club statement read: “Discussions remain open with David De Gea over a potential new contract.”
United have been in negotiations with the Spanish stopper for some time, but ESPN have now claimed that fears are growing over the likelihood of him penning a new deal as they risk losing De Gea on a free transfer.
Unless Jassim is able to take over from the Glazers, Ten Hag may have to choose between either a new striker or goalkeeper – considering he also hopes to improve defensive options and sign Mount from Chelsea in a deal that could cost £60m.
Goalkeeper targets such as Diogo Costa and Andre Onana are expected to cost over £50m, coupled with a Mount addition would leave United searching for bargain options to cover them in attack. With Ten Hag previously insisting on a striker in the ilk of Kane or Osimhen, a drop down would certainly disappoint the Dutch boss.
United may even need two strikers going into next season as Wout Weghorst returns to Burnley following the expiration of his loan, as Anthony Martial’s injury record has shown that Ten Hag is unlikely to be able to count on the Frenchman over the course of an entire campaign – as United are facing a difficult window without Jassim’s intervention.
