10 June 2023 , 12:07
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Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has publicly denied any involvement in the takeover of Manchester United.
His comments come amid multiple reports that Al-Khelaifi was the subject of contact from the Glazer family a month ago, with United's owners aim to get Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani to raise his offer for the club.
Discussions with Al-Khelaifi have since sparked a flurry of rumours suggesting that the PSG chief is part of a bigger Qatari involvement in Sheikh Jassim's bid for the Red Devils. This would go against the Sheikh's previous claim that his proposal was put forward in a personal capacity.
Al-Khelaifi is also in charge of Qatar Sports Investments.
The Qatari businessman was speaking in Istanbul ahead of Saturday night's Champions League final when he told reporters that he had not done anything out of the ordinary and has no ties to the proposed takeover of United.
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"Paris St-Germain is my club, in my heart, and I have nothing to do with Manchester United," he claimed.
"It makes me laugh. I am Qatari, right? If people ask me my opinion, I will answer them for sure - and that's what they do.
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Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi has denied any involvement in the takeover of Manchester United (Getty Images)"I am talking about anyone, not just Manchester United. I will give them the experience that I have. That's it."
Regardless of any potential Al-Khelaifi involvement, Sheikh Jassim's efforts could be in vain, given 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.
Just last month, the PSG president revealed that he had held talks with a wealthy group who were after information surrounding potential investment in two English clubs.
All too keen to dish out advice, Al-Khelaifi also explained: "I'm not going to mention them but one was small, the other big, I don't know who the guy was. But I told him my opinion."
He also went on to add that he did not meet up with Raine Group, the investment bank overseeing the sale of United, but did declare he welcomes new investment into football.
"I want the best for European competitions," Al-Khelaifi went on. "If it's within the regulation, why not? Not only Qatari, everyone."