By Victor Kanayo
A consortium of Qatar bidders led by Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Chairman of Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB), has confirmed their intention to take English Premier League club Manchester United.
Sheikh Jassim who leads the bidding offer is chairman of Qatari bank QIB and the son of a former prime minister of Qatar.
The latest bidders made their intention known through a press statement.
Part of the statement reads, “Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani today confirmed his submission of a bid for 100 per cent of Manchester United Football Club.
“The bid plans to return the Club to its former glories both on and off the pitch, and — above all — will seek to place the fans at the heart of Manchester United Football Club once more.
“The bid will be completely debt free via Sheikh Jassim’s Nine Two Foundation, which will look to invest in the football teams, the training centre, the stadium and wider infrastructure, the fan experience and the communities the Club supports.
“The vision of the bid is for Manchester United Football Club to be renowned for footballing excellence, and regarded as the greatest football club in the world.
“More details of the bid will be released, when appropriate, if and when the bid process develops.”
Businessman Sir Jim Ratcliffe was first to formally declare his interest in purchasing the club in January.
The Premier League giants had been put up for sale by current owners the Glazer family in November who announced they were “exploring strategic alternatives” to their ownership.
According to reports, the Glazers are seeking £6 billion for the three-time European champions, which would smash the record fee for a football club set by Chelsea last year.
However, Qatari bid may suffer human rights concerns, few months after workers reportedly died before 2022 World Cup, following issues of alleged inhuman approach.
United, one of the most successful clubs in English football history, have not won the Premier League since 2013 and have failed to win any silverware since 2017.
They are third in the Premier League this season after an improvement in form under manager Erik ten Hag, who took over before the start of the current campaign.
United are also set to face Newcastle in the League Cup final at Wembley on February 26.
They had drawn 2-2 at Barcelona in the first leg of a Europa League knockout round play-off tie, with Ten Hag insisting the speculation about the club’s future would not prove a distraction to his side.
