HomeZ OLD CATEGORIESEPL Index NewsManchester United Snub? Sheikh Jassim Eyes West Ham, Spurs

Manchester United Snub? Sheikh Jassim Eyes West Ham, Spurs

Sheikh Jassim Eyeing Other Premier League Prospects: El Pais Report

An Unyielding Pursuit for Premiership Glory

In a world where football clubs change hands as frequently as the seasons, Sheikh Jassim, the Qatari banker extraordinaire, remains undeterred in his pursuit of Premier League ownership. If the trail to the Theatre of Dreams, Manchester United, runs cold, rest assured, the Sheikh has his eyes on other glittering prizes in England’s top-flight football.

The Spanish sports outlet, El Pais, reports that this relentless ambition saw Sheikh Jassim submit an enhanced, eleventh-hour offer to the Raine Group, the facilitators of the sale on behalf of the Glazers, the current owners of the famed Red Devils.

Yet, the tides of this tumultuous takeover saga seem to favour the bid by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos, as reportedly preferred by the Glazers themselves. This preference means Sheikh Jassim is already scouting other possibilities within the elite echelons of English football.

The Glittering Prize: Manchester United or West Ham?

Both parties have reportedly tossed their financial hats into the ring to the tune of approximately £5 billion, but it is here the similarities end. Sheikh Jassim’s grand vision entails full command over Manchester United, in stark contrast to Ratcliffe’s approach, which is to hold a controlling stake of just over 50 per cent, leaving the Glazers in a minority ownership position.

In the light of this, the Qatari Investment Bank, helmed by Sheikh Jassim, has reportedly shortlisted West Ham United as a desirable alternative to Manchester United. The Hammers’ unique appeal lies in their prime location within England’s capital, their ability to host 60,000 roaring supporters at the London Stadium fortnightly, and their recent commendable achievement of reaching the Europa Conference League final following a victory over AZ Alkmaar.

The Hammers: An Attractive Proposition

Sheikh Jassim’s appetite for full ownership is likely to extend to West Ham, should any agreement transpire. This commitment is reflected in his previous move to completely erase Man United’s whopping £969.6 million debt, with an added promise of a separate fund solely dedicated to the club and its local community.

David Sullivan, West Ham’s co-owner, is said to be open to proposals for the club, following the demise of co-owner David Gold in early 2023.

The Race for Ownership: Tottenham Hotspur?

Nevertheless, the ambitious Sheikh has a wider field of vision. The North London club, Tottenham Hotspur, has been earmarked as another potential acquisition target. It was only at the start of the year that Spurs’ chairman Daniel Levy was in exploratory discussions with Qatar Sports Investment, the proprietors of Paris Saint-Germain, over a minority investment in the club.

Though Sheikh Jassim’s bid is distinct from this dialogue, there are signs that Spurs might entertain a similar proposition, provided the terms are favourable.

In the high-stakes game of Premier League ownership, the ebullient Sheikh Jassim continues his steadfast search for the right club, whether that be Manchester United, West Ham, or Tottenham Hotspur. The world watches with bated breath as this fascinating drama continues to unfold.

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