Premier League owners concerned over Man Utd bid despite Sheikh denial

10 June 2023 , 07:34

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Premier League owners concerned over Man Utd bid despite Sheikh denial

Premier League owners are concerned that the division's biggest club, Manchester United, could become another major team viewed as state-controlled.

Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani remains one of the frontrunners to buy United from the Glazer family, having lodged five separate bids for 100 percent of the club. Although Sheikh Jassim's representatives deny that his prospective ownership has direct links to the state of Qatar, the involvement of Paris Saint-Germain chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi has raised the level of concern.

As reported by The Athletic, the PSG boss has been in direct dialogue with the Glazers to assist with compatriot Sheikh Jassim's pursuit of United, who've been on the market since last November. Al-Khelaifi is also in charge of Qatar Sports Investments which is a subsidiary of the country's sovereign wealth fund, the Qatar Investment Authority.

In addition, PSG's chairman is also a member of QIA's board and is said to have been asked by the Qatari government to increase the Gulf's state's standing in the world sport after hosting the 2022 World Cup. QSI recently purchased a minority stake in Portuguese club Braga and Al-Khelaifi is claimed to have spoke to Tottenham Hotspur chief Daniel Levy regarding a potential investment in Spurs earlier this year.

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Many Premier League clubs were concerned that Newcastle's Saudi-backed takeover in October 2021 turned a historic English side into sportswashing vehicle for a foreign country with an appalling human right record. And it is feared that Sheikh Jassim would merely be the face for the state of Qatar to rule over United and push a state-controlled agenda.

Al-Khelaifi's representatives deny suggestions that he's been directly involved in negotiations and insist that his role in talks is purely advisory, having made his first big splash into European football back in 2011 when QSI purchased a majority stake in PSG.

Sheikh Jassim's efforts could be in vain, however, with INEOS chief executive Sir Jim Ratcliffe confident of winning the race. Only wanting to purchase up to 70 percent of United, likely eyeing the Glazers' majority of 69, Ratcliffe and his INEOS colleagues are already reported to be in direct talks with the Red Devils hierarchy.

There have now been three proper rounds of bidding, but the American family - who've been United's owners since 2005 - want to see if they can entice anyone to meet their £6billion asking price. That's one of the reasons behind the delay, with Ratcliffe even compromising and offering to keep brothers Joel and Avram Glazer involved at the club until 2026 through a minority stake.

Nathan Ridley