Before the club’s soft deadline which was 10pm on Friday, Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, the chairman of one of Qatar’s biggest banks – Qatar Islamic Bank, has submitted a bid to takeover Manchester United. The submission of a bid for 100 per cent of Manchester United Football Club has been confirmed by a statement from Al Thani said: “Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani.
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. Al Thani claims to be a lifelong United fan and he is the son of former Qatari prime minister Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, also known as HBJ. He has become the second party to formally declare interest in purchasing United following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s January confirmation. The club was put up for sale in November with the board stating it was to “explore strategic alternatives”.
“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.”
The M.E.N. understands that current bids are only indicative and once bidders reach the next stage of the process, they will enter a ‘data room’ where potential purchasers will be able to see the relevant financial information. This is the point where everyone will have to submit their bids, once they understand the value of assets and debts etc.
