Sheikh Jassim withdrew from the process last weekend
Manchester United’s lengthy takeover saga finally looks to be edging closer to its conclusion.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is posited to purchase a 25 per cent stake in the 20-time Premier League champions for a fee of £14.bn.
Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim had emerged as the frontrunner to buy the club outright from the Glazer family however last weekend he confirmed he would no longer be in the running after he had a sixth offer of £5.5bn, with the current ownership holding out for £6bn.
After news of Ratcliffe’s deal nearing close to completion many Man United fans speculated if it would entice Jassim to go back in again, however the Daily Mail’s Mike Keegan revealed that the Qataris have no desire to try again.
“Very much hoping this does not come back to bite me,” Keegan said. “But I asked this exact question of someone involved in the process yesterday. Their response? ‘Zero chance’.”
Keegan also tipped Jassim to make a bid for Liverpool as an act of “revenge” for his failed attempt to buy Man United.
“The Qataris set aside about $8 billion (£6.57 billion) for the United project,” he added.
“That money is there and ready to go, burning a hole in their pockets, so what a story that would be [to buy Liverpool].
“From what I am led to believe, they [Qataris] are very, very disappointed and angered at how this has played out.
“What better way to respond than to get United’s biggest rivals from down the road and throw all that money you were going to throw into Manchester United into making them pay for that decision not to sell to you.”
Related links:
- Sheikh Jassim tipped to make shock bid for rival PL club as revenge for failed Man United takeover
- Sheikh Jassim reveals the three big-name signings he planned to make as Man United owner
- Man United to increase security at next home game over Glazer protest fears
