Sir Jim Ratcliffe is on the verge of sealing a £1.3billion deal for a 25 per cent stake in Manchester United, having beaten Qatari royal Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani in the Glazer family’s strategic review. But Sheikh Jassim could soon make his mark on another European heavyweight after missing out on a full sale.
Soon after the Glazers announced their search for alternative investment last November, Sir Jim and Sheikh Jassim emerged as the frontrunners in the process.
The Qatari pursuit ultimately collapsed after a bid worth around £5bn for 100 per cent of the club wasn’t enough to convince the Glazers to cash in, clearing the floor for Sir Jim and INEOS.
A compromise was then made, and the 71-year-old is set to pay a vastly inflated fee for a minority stake with total sporting control as part of the agreement.
United are reportedly expected to announce Sir Jim and INEOS’ arrival early next week to start a new era at Old Trafford.
But those longing for a full sale to remove the Glazers entirely have been left disappointed by the outcome, even if there are plans in place for a phased takeover.
And Sheikh Jassim’s potential involvement with another club is bound to intensify the upset, considering the amount of money he pledged towards United.
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According to Italian outlet La Repubblica, Sheikh Jassim could invest in Inter Milan after missing out on taking over the club he supports.
It’s claimed that current Inter owner Stevan Zhang is in China battling lawsuits and debt repayments of up to £340m owed to American firm Oaktree.
The report adds that Sheikh Jassim is set to enter talks about a potential investment in the Serie A giants.
There is also said to be interest from Saudi Arabia, although Inter have denied the prospect of fresh Middle Eastern funding.
Sheikh Jassim’s interest in United may not disappear in case Joel and Avram Glazer decide to offload their remaining shares in the coming years.
But the American owners are likely entering business with Sir Jim with the hope of a long-term partnership in which INEOS rebuilds the club’s sporting operations to success.
The Failsworth-born businessman is expected to make several appointments early into his project, with Jean-Claude Blanc the hot favourite to replace the departed Richard Arnold as chief executive.
Football director John Murtough is also said to be at risk. Paul Mitchell, Dougie Freedman and Michael Edwards are among the candidates to replace him as part of a recruitment overhaul.
