Sheikh Jassim and Erik ten Hag are at risk of 'colliding' over transfers if the Qatari banker completes a takeover of Manchester United, according to one club legend.
Sheikh Jassim, full name Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani, is believed to have moved ahead of Britain's richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe in the race to buy United. Reports last week claimed that Raine - the banking group handling the sale on behalf of the owners, the Glazer family - are already negotiating exclusivity with Qatari businessman.
The BBC claim those reports are premature and that talks are continuing with both interested parties. However, speculation is growing that Sheikh Jassim has been successful with his fifth and final offer, which is understood to be worth around $6.5bn (£5.2bn) – with an additional $1bn (around £800m) of investment in the club also pledged. The Guardian claim Sheikh Jassim has 'slipped ahead' of Ratcliffe in the battle for United with the sale process now at its 'endgame'.
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Concerns are growing over the protracted sale, which began back in November, and its impact on United's summer transfer business. There are fears the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the ownership could have a knock-on effect on transfers, with the domestic window now open for English clubs.
Sources have told ESPN that United boss Ten Hag is concerned about his summer transfer plans as he remains 'in the dark' about how much money is available for new players. He is said to have had 'little information' about how the sale process is progressing. And there could be potential issues ahead, even if Sheikh Jassim completes a takeover of the club before the start of the new season.
The Mirror claim the Qatari banker is keen to sign a 'marquee' player, such as Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe, to signal the start of a new era at Old Trafford. However, United legend Gary Neville believes Ten Hag won't want to sign big-name players after forcing Cristiano Ronaldo out of the club in his debut season as manager.
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Speaking on The Overlap in March, Neville said: "I feel like Ten Hag is not going to sign [marquee names]. If new owners come in they're going to want to make a statement, they'll want to blow the transfer market open. I don't think that will suit him. I think he'll want those younger, hungrier ones that have still got that growth rather than the finished article. Casemiro obviously defeats that a little bit, but you look at Antony and Lisandro Martinez - they're younger and hungrier.
"I think that's the type of player he’ll want to add to this squad rather than saying, 'Oh, Kylian Mbappe's available or so-and-so is available'."
Featured Image Credit: Alamy & PATopics: Manchester United, Sheikh Jassim, Gary Neville, Erik Ten Hag, Football, Premier League