Sheikh Jassim 'could launch bid' for Man Utd's 'Big Six' rivals if Old Trafford takeover fails

Sheikh Jassim could launch a stunning bid for one of Manchester United's Premier League rivals if his offer to take over at Old Trafford fails, it has been claimed.

The Qatari businessman, through his Nine Two Foundation, has submitted five bids for a full takeover of United, with the joint proposal from Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS appearing to be his main rival.

There was speculation last week that Sheikh Jassim had in fact been successful - but BBC Sport claimed that US merchant bank Raine Group, who are overseeing negotiations on behalf of the club's current owners, the Glazer family, had yet to grant exclusivity to a single bidder.

It was added that talks remained ongoing between 'multiple parties' - meaning a resolution has not yet been reached.

The Guardian have reported, meanwhile, that there is a sense 'publicly and privately' that the Nine Two Foundation have 'slipped ahead' of Ratcliffe and INEOS.

But with the process still ongoing, at least one of the two parties will miss out on taking over United - and it has been claimed that Sheikh Jassim could turn his attentions elsewhere if he does not gain control at Old Trafford.

Sheikh Jassim 'could target Man Utd rival'

ESPN's Mark Ogden has claimed that the Qataris could attempt to buy Tottenham if a takeover of United does not go through.

"They want the Premier League footprint," he told The United Stand (via football.london). "Somebody told me recently, they said that if the Qataris don't buy Man United, they'll be back, and they might end up buying Tottenham."

Sky Sports reported in January that PSG chief Nasser Al-Khelaifi had spoken with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, with the French club's Qatari owners said to be exploring the possibility of taking over a Premier League club.

The Evening Standard reported earlier this month that the interest had cooled, although added that they were 'expected to eventually seek an investment in England as it aims to build a formidable multi-club model.

They have insisted, the report claims, that Sheikh Jassim's involvement in United would not impact its future plans to invest in the country, but that does not appear to rule out the Qatari businessman's Nine Two Foundation from entering talks with Tottenham if it chose to do so.