Jassim to deny Ten Hag’s Man Utd wish just like the Glazers have

Sheikh Jassim appears unlikely to make a move for Erik ten Hag’s top target in the summer if he becomes the new owner of Manchester United. Ten Hag sees Harry Kane as his number one priority to fill the Red Devil’s glaring hole up front.

But the Qatari billionaire is reportedly keener on acquiring the services of Neymar or Kylian Mbappe rather than Kane. According to Bild’s transfer expert Christian Falk, Jassim has three clear targets if he gets the nod to take over the club; Mbappe, Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman and Real Madrid youngster Eduardo Camavinga while previous reports claimed Neymar would be high on his list.

Ten Hag had similar difficulties bringing in another dream signing in Jude Bellingham – who is now set to join Real Madrid – under the Glazers, having reportedly told confidants earlier this year that if he could sign one player it would be the England midfielder. But the Glazers have not delivered him and now the Dutchman’s transfer policy could be about to be denied by United’s ownership once again should Sheikh Jassime take over. The Glazers are currently mulling over the final offers for the club this week.

They had been holding out for a bid matching their £6b valuation but the highest bid is reportedly £5.2b offered by Ineos founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Ineos want to purchase 69 per cent of the Glazers’ shares and are said to be open to allowing Joel and Avram Glazer to remain as minority shareholders. Meanwhile, Jassim is hoping to take over 100 per cent of the club.

It would therefore make sense that Ratcliffe would be the frontrunner to buy United yet sources close to the Jassim consortium are adamant that their offer exceeds the £5b despite suggestions otherwise. Sources told the Telegraph that additional funding for the redevelopment of Old Trafford and the club’s training ground tops the bid and that they have met a similar price to Ineos.

According to CBS Sports’ Ben Jacobs, Jassim’s charity Nine Two Foundation, who are fronting the bid, ‘haven’t ruled out going direct to the Glazers’ in an attempt to convince them to strike a deal.

The report adds that Jassim has by no means conceded defeat in the takeover battle, although the Daily Mail claims that those with knowledge of the process say that the Ineos offer values the club higher.

Jassim’s plans to persuade the Glazers may not be possible as it has always been indicated that any direct negotiations after the final bids should take place after a preferred bidder is named.