Who is Man Utd bidder Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani and what is his net worth?
MANCHESTER UNITED are edging closer to the completion of a huge takeover – and Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani has reportedly become the favourite to takeover at Old Trafford.
The Glazers put the club up for sale back in November after 17 years of owning the Premier League giants.
Jassim’s last bid supposedly fell just short of the Glazer family‘s £6billion asking price.
Meanwhile, bidding rival Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to buy just over 50 per cent of the club to take the majority stake, therefore allowing brothers Joel and Avram to retain 20 per cent.
Has Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani put in a bid for Man Utd?
Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani, a member of the Gulf state’s ruling Royal Family, is aiming for a full buy-out of the Old Trafford club.
And his father Hamad is a former Prime Minister of Qatar, made his formal approach to United’s bid supervisors, the US-based Raine Group, ahead of the first deadline.
In a statement issued on his behalf by a senior London PR company, Sheikh Jassim said he planned to “return the Club to its former glories both on and off the pitch”.
The statement added: “Above all, the bid will seek to place the fans at the heart of Manchester United Football Club once more.”
The Qataries’ first and second bid was rejected by the Glazer family.
Now, Jassim has submitted a third world-record bid in excess of £5billion, which is reportedly considered the leading offer.
What is Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani’s net worth?
Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani is part of the ruling royal family who have a collective net worth estimated to be at around $335billion (£275bn).
The head of the royal family – Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, is estimated to be worth around $2bn (£1.6bn) alone.
Who else is in the running to takeover at Man United?
Sheikh Jassim’s biggest takeover rival is Man United fan and billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
In recent weeks, it has been reported that the 70-year-old offer is higher than the Qataries offer.
Finnish businessman Thomas Zilliacus has also placed a bid to takeover the Red Devils.
The entrepreneur lashed out on social media describing the ongoing takeover saga as a “farce” and accusing the Glazers of disrespecting the club.
He is unwilling to take part in a third round of bidding and Zilliacus told the BBC: “My earlier offer still stands and I am willing to pay a premium above what I offered.
“I’m not going to be participating in a third round because I find it highly unprofessional.
“I see no reason whatsoever why a third round is basically starting the whole thing from scratch.e
“It seems odd to me that, if there is a genuine will to sell and you have three serious bidders, why you don’t sit down with the bidders, discuss and negotiate and hopefully come to a number that everyone can agree.”
US-based hedge fund Elliott Management submitted a bid for a minor stake in Manchester United.
Their proposed a financing option which was open to all interested parties as they have no intention of owning the club outright.
They have previously owned AC Milan until they sold to RedBird Capital for €1.2billion in 2022.