Man Utd takeover: Concerning update as claims made that Sheikh Jassim is worried club ‘isn’t really for sale’
Manchester United bidder Sheikh Jassim is now worried that the Glazers will not sell the club despite months of negotiations, according to reports.
Man Utd’s owners, the Glazer family, are weighing up offers for the club from Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the founder of chemicals firm INEOS.
The Glazers first indicated they could sell by initiating a strategic review last November but the bidding process has dragged on.
Reports over the last month or so have suggested Sheikh Jassim’s bid – which is for 100 per cent of the club – is now the most likely to be accepted. Sources close to the Qatari bid have indicated their eagerness to close the deal, with the summer transfer window being open for a while.
However, a takeover before the end of the transfer window seems virtually impossible with reports now doubting that the Glazers intend to sell the club at all.
The Manchester Evening News insist that Sheikh Jassim ‘is still awaiting a response from the Glazer family to his submission to buy’ the Premier League club and sources have told them that there is now ‘real concern’ that the US owners have no intention of selling.
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The report adds:
‘In the recent book Grit, Rigour & Humour: The Ineos Story, Ratcliffe admitted United the vested interests of six siblings has been an issue during discussions to buy the club.
‘The MEN wrote last month that financiers on Wall Street also believe the New York Stock Exchange should apply pressure on the Glazers to make a decision to avoid the process dragging on with shares traded.
”There is surprise at the absence of any clarification or communication since the process began and NYSE figures have taken a dim view of share price fluctuations on the basis of rumour.
‘A financial source claimed figures connected to the Raine Group, the investment banking firm hired by the Glazers, believe they have been tasked with selling something that isn’t really for sale.’
Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag, whose side beat Wolves 1-0 last weekend, has tried his best to remain neutral on any potential takeover and continues to focus on his team.
“I focus on my job, and that is to improve the team,” Ten Hag said at the end of July when asked about the takeover situation.
“I have to do my work to sign the players and I have to work on the way of play. That is my focus area.
“That’s what I’ve done, so I don’t get distracted from any of the strategic review. That’s what others in the club will deal with.
“We have a good information line. We’re sharing the information, so I know where I am and I can focus on my job.
“Most of the times (the information) is going over (chief executive) Richard Arnold or (football director) John Murtough. But sometimes also we have direct contact, as you have seen in New York.”
