Kieran Maguire makes ‘suspicious’ Man United takeover claim as government questions Qatar bidders
The government raising questions over Sheikh Jassim’s record with the Qatar Islamic Bank is to protect and benefit Man United during the takeover process.
That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who exclusively told Football Insider that the government are wanting to avoid a ‘suspicious takeover’ at Old Trafford.
As reported by Bloomberg (4 April), the UK government has stepped in to question the official business record of Man United bidder Sheikh Jassim.
The internal government analysis flagged a Qatar Islamic Bank fine and the government were keen to investigate further.
Jassim spearheads the Qatari group bidding for Man United, with a new bid expected to land on the Glazer’s desk by the end of hte month after they ordered a third round of bidding.
As reported by talkSPORT (25 March) Jassim’s second bid is believed to be a world-record fee in excess of £5bn – although it was still too far away from the Glazer’s £6bn valuation of the Red Devils.
Maguire insists the government probe is to protect United from a ‘fake Sheikh’ situation which would leave egg on the face of all parties involved.
“The government officials questioning Sheikh Jassim in terms of his relationship with the QIB is hopefully just a bit of dotting I’s and crossing T’s,” Maguire told Football Insider.
“They will be making sure he does have the appropriate funds to buy the club and to help it progress and spend money going forwards.
“So this is all to Man United’s benefit to protect them from any suspicious takeover and to make sure they don’t fall foul of a fake Sheikh.
“We’ve seen it happen at other clubs and everyone ends up with egg on their face.“
In other news, Brighton will now consider big-money Alexis Mac Allister offer as Liverpool and Man United swoop