Manchester United owners the Glazers rejecting Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani’s latest takeover proposal may have cost Erik ten Hag a dream triple transfer swoop. The Qatari businessman was believed to be fixated on signing a high-flying French trio to bolster an already star-studded playing squad at Old Trafford.
Sheikh Jassim is reported to have put forward an ideal proposal for most United fans, which included clearing the club’s long-standing debt and committing to well over £1billion worth of investment in the stadium, training facilities and community projects.
The deep pockets of the Qatari consortium would also have allowed United to spend to their heart’s content in the transfer market – within Financial Fair Play limits. Sheikh Jassim was reportedly planning to do just that, with three players earmarked for an ambitious swoop.
According to Bild, the former takeover hopeful was keen to bring in Kylian Mbappe, Kingsley Coman and Eduardo Camavinga at the first possible opportunity.
The three players are valued at a combined £290million by Transfermarkt, and each has the talent to make a serious impact in the Premier League. But the Glazers’ decisive rejection looks to have taken Ten Hag in a different direction.
Reports indicate that Sheikh Jassim put together a final cash proposal almost one year after the Glazers first announced that they were exploring strategic alternatives to their current ownership model.
But the unpopular American owners flatly turned it down, prompting Sheikh Jassim to walk away from the negotiating table on Saturday and clear a path for rival bidder Sir Jim Ratcliffe to strike a deal. According to The Athletic, the INEOS chief has already reached an agreement in principle with the Glazers, who have been edging towards the sale of a minority stake.
The United board are set to convene over the coming days and vote on whether to proceed with Sir Jim’s proposal. The Brit is reportedly set for a 25 per cent stake in the Red Devils, but is keen to establish a measure of authority over sporting decisions.
Old Trafford is far from a welcoming environment at present, with Ten Hag enduring a troubled start to the season on and off the pitch. United are currently 10th in the Premier League after losing four of their first eight games.
Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho has been exiled from the first team, serious doubts surround Andre Onana’s ability to replace David de Gea, and Ten Hag’s right-hand man, Mitchell van der Gaag, is the subject of interest from Ajax.
