SHEIKH JASSIM wants to buy Manchester United as a “trophy asset” – like the Empire State Building.
But Red Devils’ fans shouldn’t panic – as he’s not just after a towering boost for his ego.
The chairman of a huge Qatari bank is described as a lifelong United fan who watches every game.
And there’s even better news for Old Trafford supporters intent on seeing the back of current owners the Glazers.
The Sheikh is said to believe the American family have “under-invested” over the past decade.
He reckons that would leave him with “a lot to do” if he wins his takeover fight with Britain’s richest man, Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
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The Athletic uncovered little-known details on a man who remains something of a mystery despite being a member of Qatar’s royal family and the son of a former Prime Minister there.
The 41-year-old, was educated at at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst and previously held a leading position with global investment bank Credit Suisse.
It was at that global investment bank where he sometimes typified his enigmatic personality by calling himself “JJ” or even signing off paperwork with the same moniker.
It’s claimed he’d love to own United as a sign of prestige similar to past Qatari investments in luxury store Harrods and the 72-storey Shard in London, plus the Empire State Building in New York.
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A source told The Athletic: “He likes to have nice things.
“I can understand why he wants an asset like Manchester United because it makes everyone go, ‘that’s owned by Sheikh Jassim’.”
But beneath all that it appears the Sheikh is also a dedicated Red Devils supporter.
His bid to oust the Glazers has seemingly regained momentum in recent weeks.
In fact, he’s possibly back in pole position ahead of Ratcliffe’s INEOS.
It’s thought the Sheikh’s teams are getting documents ready to ensure any deal can go through quickly, having promised a debt-free buy-out.
And ultimately that might be the only thing connected to him that most United fans truly care about.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
