Manchester United’s owners, the Glazer family, reportedly reached out to PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi about a month ago in an attempt to encourage Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani to increase his bid for the club.
The Glazers have a longstanding relationship with Al-Khelaifi, which likely prompted their decision to seek his assistance.
Currently, Sheikh Jassim and Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group are engaged in a bidding war for the acquisition of Manchester United.
This week, Sheikh Jassim submitted his fifth offer, along with a warning that he would not entertain further negotiations beyond Friday.
However, private sources suggest that the conversation between Manchester United’s owners and Al-Khelaifi did not yield the desired outcome, as the bid for a complete takeover was not raised.
Reports have also surfaced regarding Al-Khelaifi’s alleged meetings with the Raine Group, the entity overseeing the sales process. Nonetheless, a source close to the PSG chairman has denied these claims.
Furthermore, it is emphasized that Al-Khelaifi has no official or unofficial involvement in Manchester United, and the bid put forth by Sheikh Jassim is entirely separate from PSG.
Some Premier League clubs are calling for a thorough investigation into the sale, expressing concerns that the funds for the acquisition may be centrally financed by Qatar.
The potential conflicts of interest surrounding Al-Khelaifi have previously been a subject of concern.
As chairman of the influential European Clubs’ Association and a close associate of UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, questions arise regarding his ability to maintain impartiality.
However, sources close to Sheikh Jassim have consistently stated that his bid is being made in a personal capacity, unrelated to any official affiliations.
Al-Khelaifi has reportedly engaged in discussions with Sheikh Jassim to share his experiences in running a major European club.
As the self-imposed Friday deadline approaches, it is unlikely that Sheikh Jassim will release any statements, and he does not intend to withdraw his bid at this time.
The battle for ownership of Manchester United continues, with the Glazers seeking ways to maximize the value of the club while Sheikh Jassim and Jim Ratcliffe remain in the running.
