‘Sheikh Jassim ready to agree cut-price Man United takeover – I’m convinced’
Man United’s share price has plummeted in the last year with Sir Jim Ratcliffe failing to transform fortunes at the club.
Ratcliffe went head to head with a Qatari-backed full takeover bid from Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani to land a minority stake in 2024 – taking control of football operations at Old Trafford.
The Doha bid has been widely linked with a fresh move for Man United in recent weeks but the Daily Mail has reported (25 May) that Sheikh Jassim is not currently considering returning to the table.
He had previously promised to wipe the club’s huge debt and delist the club from the New York Stock Exchange.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – insisted he is “convinced” the Qatar-based interest has not gone away.
Man United face ‘pivotal season’ as Sheikh Jassim watches on, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness has claimed Jassim may be waiting for value to erode even further before making his move.
Man United shares have dropped 17% year-on-year and the club are not faring well on the pitch – losing the Europa League final to Tottenham and finishing 15th in the Premier League.
Wyness claimed Sheikh Jassim could be eyeing a deal at around the £5billion mark.
| Position | Team | Played | Points | GD |
| 13 | Everton | 38 | 48 | -2 |
| 14 | West Ham | 38 | 43 | -16 |
| 15 | Man United | 38 | 42 | -10 |
| 16 | Wolves | 38 | 42 | -15 |
| 17 | Tottenham | 38 | 38 | -1 |
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I still think there’s interest from him.
“He’ll be waiting to see how the value erodes at Man United.
“If they have another poor season and the value erodes further, I think you’re going to see willing sellers in Ratcliffe and the Glazers.
“It will then be a different level of offer.
“I’m convinced he hasn’t lost his interest, and I’m sure he will think he can fix Man United.
“It could be around the £5billion mark – rather than up to £6-7billion.
“I think he’ll be looking at that sort of level. It now depends on how rough it gets as to whether Ratcliffe and the Glazers become willing sellers.
“It’s a pivotal season coming up.”
Alejandro Garnacho update after Man United bust-up
Meanwhile, Football Insider has revealed (29 May) that Man United star Alejandro Garnacho is still in high demand despite his recent bust-up with manager Ruben Amorim.
Both Chelsea and Napoli were interested in landing the 20-year-old back in January, and though a deal failed to materialise, the Blues could reignite their interest – as revealed by Football Insider earlier this month (5 May).
Atletico Madrid are also keen on the winger – who was fuming after seeing his role in the Europa League final diminished, before being given a dressing down in front of teammates at Carrington.
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