Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani is interested in taking over Manchester United. Various English media including The Guardian, know that the Emir of Qatar is willing to pay 4.5 billion euros for the club. However, there are two major stumbling blocks: the Glazer family’s asking price for United is not 4.5 but 6 billion euros, and the Qatari emir already owns a top European club with Paris Saint-Germain.
At the end of November it was announced that Avram and Joel Glazer – the owners of United – were open to a sale. This was made clear in a statement from the Red Devils, stating that “strategic alternatives” were being sought to help the club move forward. A transfer of ownership was one of the options. The Raine Group, which also oversaw the Chelsea acquisition, was appointed as exclusive financial advisor. With the help of that firm, United’s sales value was estimated at six billion euros.
However, the emir believes that the club represents only three-quarters of that value. Moreover, it is not the only stumbling block he will have to deal with in a possible takeover attempt. The emir also owns PSG through investment company Qatar Sports Investments and clubs with the same owner are not allowed to meet in any of its competitions under UEFA rules. There is a chance that Manchester United and PSG will meet in the future in a Champions League context, so that the rules will have to be adjusted to allow such a poster to continue.
The Qataris are aware of the UEFA regulations and are currently looking for a solution. An option that is being discussed, writes The Guardian, is to put pressure on the European federation to change the rules. Amnesty International considers the Qatari interest a ‘wake-up call’ for the Premier League to update its rules on club ownership. The human rights organization also campaigned against the Saudi takeover of Newcastle United in October 2021.
Another candidate
Earlier, Sir Jim Ratcliffe reported an interest in the purchase of Manchester United. The wealthy businessman has been a lifelong supporter of the club and wants to acquire its shares in INEOS through his company. With the chemical company, he also already owns the French OGC Nice and the Swiss Lausanne-Sport. Ratcliffe’s total net worth went through last August Forbes estimated at around thirteen billion euros. He has also been linked to the Chelsea takeover in the past, despite being born ten miles from Old Trafford.