Tinaye Agere
PARIS Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has reportedly been a significant contributor in the ongoing ownership takeover at Manchester United.
The PSG chief has apparently been advising Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani and his Nine Two Foundation, which is behind the bid to take full control of the club.
Qatar-born Al-Khelaifi is a prominent figure in European and international football, and his involvement in the long-winded process has seen him act as an intermediary between current United owners — the Glazer family — and hopeful buyer Sheikh Jassim, according to The Athletic.
It is suggested that the 49-year-old PSG head was initially asked for advice on what he feels is a sound valuation of the 13-time Premier League champions, who boast huge global appeal.
Sheikh Jassim has subsequently made a fifth and final bid to secure complete ownership of the club.
This will also see him wipe away existing debt and hand Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag a boosted transfer kitty to spend on new players.
However, they are in a two-horse race with British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who wants to acquire an initial majority stake that could eventually lead to a complete takeover.
Al-Khelaifi was reportedly later approached by the Glazer family to encourage Sheikh Jassim to raise his initial offer for the club.
He has also apparently met face-to-face with the Glazers and Raine Group, who are the American bank overseeing the expected record-breaking sale.
Sheikh Jassim has so far maintained his distance from negotiations and has made his bids to purchase United through representatives of his Nine Two Foundation.
His latest offer comes with a deadline of Friday, which will see him cease negotiations with the Glazers in a take-it-or-leave-it approach due to the dragging on in developments.
The Glazer family are understood to value their asset at £6 billion.
However, there is a reported reluctance to meet that price by any of the parties involved.
United were put up for sale in November and negotiations have so far been long-winded, with no proposed end date.
This has frustrated supporters who want to see a takeover completed before the transfer window opens on June 14.
Little is known about Sheikh Jassim, who is the preferred bidder of United’s fan base, with his personal fortune unrevealed, although it is believed that he has the funds required to become the new owner at Old Trafford.
He is the chairperson of the Qatari Islamic Bank and is thought to have a close connection with Al-Khelaifi, who is a director of Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund (QIA). — dailymail.co.uk
Online Reporter