Man Utd takeover: Sheikh Jassim’s ‘marquee’ signing is slipping away despite imminent ‘win’
Man Utd bidder Sheikh Jassim is set to lose out on signing Neymar this summer despite his imminent takeover of the club, according to reports.
The Red Devils currently have no interest in signing the Brazilian this season under the current ownership but there have been rumours that Sheikh Jassim would like to sign the 31-year-old if he takes control of the Premier League club.
A report on Saturday brought news that the Qatari businessman is ‘set to win’ the race to take over Man Utd with a ‘done deal’ expected at some point this year.
There have been three official rounds of bidding, although Sheikh Jassim is rumoured to have bid as many as five times for the club, with INEOS founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe also attempting to buy the Premier League club.
And there have been rumours that if Sheikh Jassim takes control of the club he will look to make Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar his ‘marquee signing’.
A report in The Sun in April stated: “Manchester United will make a sensational move for PSG star Neymar if the Qatari bidders are successful in their takeover. [Jassim] is eyeing the Brazilian as a marquee signing this summer.”
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But now Football Transfers claims that the Qatari is ‘set to miss out on the Brazil forward’ because of the delay to his takeover of the Premier League club.
Football Transfers add:
‘Sheikh Jassim has reportedly won the race to buy Man Utd from the Glazer family ahead of INEOS chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe after lodging a bid of £6 billion – a world record for a sports team.
‘The news comes with a catch, however, with the sale only expected to be completed in November, a full year after the Glazers first started inviting bids for the Red Devils, and two months after the summer transfer window closes.’
Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol has the latest on Neymar’s future with the Brazilian still hoping to re-join Barcelona at some point this summer.
Solhekol wrote on Sky Sports: ‘Paris Saint-Germain will listen to offers for Neymar this summer after he informed the club he wants to leave.
‘Offers between £50m and £80m, depending on who the buyer is, will be considered by PSG for Neymar, the most expensive player in the world.
‘Ideally, Neymar would like to return to Barcelona but it is difficult to see how they can afford him because of their financial problems.
‘Despite denials, PSG’s management have been told Neymar wants to leave. He has three years left to run on his £25m-a-year contract. There remains a question over whether he is jumping or being pushed.
‘At 31, he is not thought to be a key player for new head coach Luis Enrique as he builds a new side. PSG have been open to selling him in order to focus on building a younger, hungrier team.
‘Clubs in Saudi Arabia, Brazil, USA and Europe are all expected to try and sign the player this summer. There were discussions with Chelsea in January.’
But the Evening Standard have claimed that Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is ‘not keen on a reunion with Neymar’ at Stamford Bridge this summer.
