Glazers 'discuss Qatar Manchester United takeover bid with Paris Saint-Germain owners'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 09 June 2023

Glazers 'discuss Qatar Man United takeover bid with PSG owners'

Manchester United's owners held a discussion with Paris Saint-Germain chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi last month about the offers for the club from Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, according to a report.

Manchester United's owners the Glazers reportedly held a discussion with Paris Saint-Germain chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi last month about the offers for the club from Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani.

Sheikh Jassim is said to have made five separate bids for the Red Devils, the latest of which arrived earlier this week, as he attempts to beat Sir Jim Ratcliffe to a deal.

There had been suggestions that the Qatari banker would be prepared to walk away from a possible takeover if he had not heard back from Raine Group, who are overseeing the sale, by Friday.

However, it is understood that Sheikh Jassim's offer will remain live, as he is still determined to purchase the club ahead of his main competition, which comes from British billionaire Ratcliffe.

According to BBC Sport, Man United's owners spoke to PSG chairman Al-Khelaifi in May in an attempt to receive an increased offer from Sheikh Jassim.

Ineos chairman Jim Ratcliffe is pictured at Old Trafford in Manchester, Britain, March 17, 2023 © Reuters

The report, though, claims that the conversation had no impact on any offer, while sources close to Al-Khelaifi have denied that a meeting took place with Raine Group and have also firmly rejected claims that the PSG chairman has some role in the offer for Man United.

Last November, the Glazers revealed that they were open to selling the Red Devils, and it had been thought that a takeover process would be completed by this point.

However, despite recent suggestions, Man United are yet to name a preferred bidder for the club, with Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim still competing to purchase the 20-time English champions.

Ratcliffe's offer is said to be for 51% of the club, with a full takeover potentially taking place after three years, but Sheikh Jassim wants 100% at this moment in time.

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and co-owners Joel Glazer and Avram Glazer in April 2019 © Reuters

The Glazers allegedly value Man United at £6bn, but there have been no suggestions that any offers have come close to that figure.

Under Ratcliffe's proposal, the Americans could stay on as minority shareholders, which would likely prove to be unpopular with the club's fanbase, who continue to protest about their owners.

The takeover situation is currently overshadowing Man United's plans for the summer window, as head coach Erik ten Hag is allegedly unsure how much he will have to spend this summer.

Ten Hag is thought to want the majority of the transfer business in the upcoming market completed by the time that the club travel to the United States for their pre-season tour next month.