Sheikh Jassim’s failed attempt to acquire Manchester United captured the imagination of fans, with grand promises of financial overhaul and marquee signings. Reports suggested he had outlined an ambitious plan to revamp the club, with 10 high-profile players on his radar if the takeover had been successful. For months, Jassim was seen as the frontrunner to purchase the club from the Glazer family, a move many believed would usher in a new era at Old Trafford.
His bold vision extended beyond just fixing Manchester United’s financial woes. In addition to clearing the club’s significant debt and overhauling both the iconic Old Trafford stadium and the Carrington training facility, Jassim also had his sights set on bringing some of Europe’s most talented footballers to the club. According to reports, he made five substantial bids in total, hoping to acquire 100% of Manchester United. Yet despite his efforts, nothing came to fruition.
The Glazers, holding out for their £6 billion valuation of the club, refused to budge, a figure Jassim reportedly deemed “unrealistic.” Ultimately, it was British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe who edged out the competition, securing a 27.7% stake in the club for £1.25 billion, effectively ending the Qatari’s hopes of a full takeover.
Back in May 2023, reports from El Pais revealed that Jassim had been preparing to launch a staggering £500 million transfer campaign, should he have been successful in taking control. Among his most notable targets were some of the game’s top stars, many of whom found homes at rival clubs instead.
Harry Kane, for instance, had been a top priority, but the prolific striker ended up joining Bayern Munich in a record-breaking deal. Similarly, Kim Min Jae, the highly sought-after South Korean defender, also made the switch to the Bavarian giants. These two acquisitions by Bayern reflected the type of star power Jassim had hoped to bring to Manchester United.
Alexis Mac Allister, who shone for Argentina during their 2022 World Cup triumph, had briefly been linked with a move to Manchester, but the midfielder opted for Liverpool, completing a £35 million transfer. Another player perennially connected with a move to United, Adrien Rabiot, ultimately decided to extend his stay at Juventus before switching to Marseille in the summer.
Jassim had also been targeting Juventus’ talented striker Dusan Vlahovic, though the Serbian forward remains at the Turin club. Meanwhile, another top forward on the list, Victor Osimhen, whose stock skyrocketed after a sensational season with Napoli, did not make the expected move to Manchester either. Instead, Osimhen found himself on loan to Galatasaray on the final day of the transfer window.
Frenkie de Jong, a player whose name has been frequently associated with Manchester United in recent years, was also part of Jassim’s ambitious plan. The Dutch midfielder remains at Barcelona, along with his teammate, Ronald Araujo, who was another player linked to a potential switch to Old Trafford. Despite ongoing speculation, neither has shown any indication of leaving the Catalan club anytime soon.
In addition to these names, Napoli’s electrifying winger Kvicha Kvaratskhelia had been touted as a possible signing. However, the Georgian talent put an end to transfer rumors by committing his future to Napoli, signing a new deal with the Serie A champions. Another player linked with Jassim’s takeover plans, Kingsley Coman, has also remained at Bayern Munich, despite being the subject of interest from both Arsenal and clubs in Saudi Arabia.
In the end, Sheikh Jassim’s grand vision for Manchester United and his proposed transfer revolution never materialized. The list of potential stars he had targeted were all dispersed across Europe, finding new homes, extending contracts, or staying put at their respective clubs. Meanwhile, Manchester United has moved forward under the partial ownership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, though what the future holds for the Red Devils remains uncertain.
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