The truth behind Sheikh Jassim plotting another Premier League takeover
Tom Weber
- Updated: 18 Oct 2023 17:54 BST
- 4 min read
Sheikh Jassim is not considering investing in another club after pulling out of the Manchester United takeover race, according to a report.
The Qatari banker withdrew from the Red Devils ownership battle, officially ending the months-long takeover saga, when the Glazers rejected his final offer. Jassim had submitted a new proposal after reports indicated that Sir Jim Ratcliffe had restructured his bid to acquire a minority stake in the club, rather than majority ownership.
The Glazers are expected to accept this offer which will be ratified over the next couple of weeks. It will see the INEOS bigwig acquire 25 per cent of Man Utd and he will also be given control over the sporting side of the club.
READ: When will Jim Ratcliffe complete his minority takeover of Man Utd?
Jassim had wanted to buy 100 per cent of the club and clear the debts that have accrued since the Glazers took over in 2005, but the American owners were not interested in relinquishing control of the lucrative brand.
"After spending seven and almost eight months in negotiations with the Glazer family," transfer expert Fabrizio Romano said, "the feeling of Sheikh Jassim and those close to him was that there was nothing to do, the Glazer family were not prepared to sell Man Utd at their conditions.
Investment in another club
Over the summer, there were already rumours that Jassim could turn his attention to another Premier League side should he be beaten by Ratcliffe. These rumours have now flared up anew, with Jassim being linked to Tottenham and Liverpool, whose owners announced at a similar time to the Glazers that they have begun looking for outside investment.
Inter have also been in the conversation given that the club are still not out of the woods after their financial state took a hit a few years ago under Chinese ownership.
READ: Who is Joao Neves? Benfica's new Enzo Fernandez linked with a £100m transfer to Man Utd
However, these rumours are just that - rumours. At least that is what journalist Ben Jacobs claims. "Sheikh Jassim is not currently considering another club," he wrote on Twitter. "Nine Two Foundation haven't held discussions on buying Spurs or Inter."
"Meanwhile, QSI [PSG-owning Qatar Sports Investment] did hold exploratory talks with Spurs in January over minority investment. Nothing progressed and any deal unlikely to be revived."
