Transfer Centre

Man United 'could make six new signings if Sheikh Jassim wins takeover race'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 16 July 2023

Manchester United could reportedly make up to six more signings if Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani purchases the club from the Glazer family this summer.

Manchester United could reportedly try to bring as many as six new players to the club if Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani wins the race to take over the club.

Eight months on from the Glazers initially announcing their willingness to work with new investors or sell the club outright, Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe have established themselves as the frontrunners.

Sheikh Jassim is believed to be the favourite at this moment in time given his intentions to complete a full takeover whereas Ratcliffe only wants a minority stake to start out with.

However, there is yet to be a significant breakthrough in negotiations with the Glazers, and the saga is hampering Man United's summer transfer business, allegedly to the chagrin of Erik ten Hag.

So far, Man United have only sealed the signature of Mason Mount from Chelsea, paying an initial £55m and a further £5m in add-ons for the English playmaker.

Manchester United co-chairman Avram Glazer in the stands before the match on May 14, 2023 © Reuters

A deal to bring Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana to Old Trafford is also believed to be close to completion, while a new striker is also on Ten Hag's summer shopping list.

However, it remains to be seen how much will be left in Man United's transfer kitty after Onana signs on the dotted line, although the Glazers have apparently promised Ten Hag that funds will be made available.

Nevertheless, should the American tycoons come to an agreement with Sheikh Jassim over a sale in the coming weeks, the Daily Star - via Sky Sports News - claims that as many as six more signings could be facilitated.

The Red Devils have been linked with moves for several big-money strikes over the past few weeks, namely Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane, Eintracht Frankfurt's Randal Kolo Muani and Napoli's Victor Osimhen.

However, moves for all three strikers - who are valued at over £100m by their respective clubs - have been seen as unfeasible in their current predicament, forcing the Red Devils to consider alternative options.

Atalanta's Rasmus Hojlund celebrates scoring their second goal on February 11, 2023 © Reuters

Atalanta BC attacker Rasmus Hojlund has seemingly emerged as the frontrunner to lead the line for Man United next term, but the Italian side are also demanding an extortionate sum of £85.8m.

As well as bolstering their attacking contingent, Man United have also been tipped to add a new centre-back to their ranks and were pushing to sign Napoli's Kim Min-jae.

However, the South Korea international is instead bound for Bayern Munich, and Monaco's Axel Disasi is now believed to be a prime target of Ten Hag's.

The Red Devils have already lost David de Gea, Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe on free transfers this summer, as well as offloading Zidane Iqbal to Dutch side FC Utrecht.

The likes of Anthony Martial, Harry Maguire, Eric Bailly, Fred, Dean Henderson, Scott McTominay, Alex Telles, Donny van de Beek, Anthony Elanga and Hannibal Mejbri should also be allowed to depart if suitable offers come in.