Sheikh Jassim makes Man Utd takeover 'power-play'

Jacque Talbot

• 29 Apr 2023 12:25 BST
• 3 min read

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani has made a ‘power-play’ as well as his final bid of more than £5 billion for Manchester United.

The Daily Mail reports that as well as his world record-breaking bid for a sports franchise, the Qatari has made the promise of adding significant funding for transfers and infrastructure.

The group’s bid landed in New York shortly before the 10pm deadline - and they have bolstered their move own move by pledging a further amount of additional capital. This money would go towards developing Old Trafford or even building a new stadium entirely, while extra money would go into rejuvenating

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However, the bid from the Qatari remained well short of the £6bn that the club's owners, the Glazer family, are thought to be seeking.

Sheikh Jassim is the only bid which is asking for 100% of the club - if accepted, his deal would buy out the Glazers, bringing an end to their 18-year reign.

The offer is improved from his previous bid, but there are fears that it will fall short of the Glazers' asking price.

The trouble is that Sheikh Jassim is not prepared to go near the £6 billion fee that the Glazers are demanding.

Ratcliffe in the running

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is also among those looking for a stake in the club. Britain’s richest man lodged a bid that will ask for over 50% of the club, while brothers of the Glazer family, Joel and Avram, will get to retain their 20% stake.

If any deal is accepted, it will go through the Premier League test. There were questions over the ownership of Newcastle United and Manchester City being state-woned, but it is unlikely Sheikh Jassim's offer would face any issues over this matter.

Meanwhile, Man Utd fans are planning a protest against the Glazers ahead of Sunday's match with Aston Villa at Old Trafford.