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      Name of ‘life long fan’ Sheikh Jassim’s company set up to buy Man Utd cryptically shows his love for the club

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      MANCHESTER UNITED bidder Sheikh Jassim has illustrated his love for the club with the name of his company set up to bid for them.Qatari Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani launched a £5bn offer to buy the Red Devils prior to yesterday’s deadline.
      Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani wants to buy Man United outright
      He is going up against boyhood fan Sir Jim Ratcliffe, but he has shown off some of his own credentials as a United supporter.
      Sheikh Jassim has called his company the “Nine Two Foundation” – in homage to the fabled Class of 92.
      The Class of 92 has gone down in Manchester United folklore, as the academy team to have featured the likes of David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, the Neville brothers and Nicky Butt.
      Sheikh Jassim is the son of former Qatari Prime Minister Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      He has promised to clear the club of its debts while restoring it to “former glories”.
      Sheikh Jassim wants to buy the club outright from the Glazer family, who stand to make around 40 TIMES what they paid for them.
      Having purchased the club in a leveraged buy-out, the Glazers spent only around £150million on Man United, while receiving dividends in many years.
      They are now chasing £6bn for the club, but could sell for between £4bn-£5bn.
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      The Glazers will also pocket the money tax free, having relocated United HQ from Old Trafford to the Cayman Islands.
      The Raine Group, the bank overseeing the sale, will determine the next step, following last night’s soft deadline.
      This will involve putting together a shortlist of bidders, much like the one that was compiled during the process that saw Todd Boehly buy Chelsea last year.
      Sheikh Jassim’s rival bidder Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to “put the Manchester back into Manchester United”.
      A source close to the INEOS chief told the Telegraph: “His aim is to be a long-term custodian of Manchester United and set the standard for a progressive approach to club ownership.
      “As locally born, he wants to put the Manchester back into Manchester United.”
      Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to buy Man UnitedCredit: PA More

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      Footie-mad kid gets huge shock as entire Arsenal team walk by as he films keepy-uppies – before NUTMEGGING Zinchenko

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      A YOUNG football fan got the shock of his life when the entire Arsenal first-team walked past him as he played in the street.The young lad was just minding his business and filming himself practising keepie-uppies on the Liverpool Road pavement.

      A young lad was just minding his business doing keepie-uppies in the streetCredit: TIKTOK@PIRLO_2.0
      But moments later he was left starstruck as the Arsenal first-team walked past himCredit: TIKTOK@PIRLO_2.0
      He was challenged to a one-on-one by Oleksandr Zinchenko and ended up nutmegging the defenderCredit: TIKTOK@PIRLO_2.0
      But just seconds later, he was left star-struck when the Gunners squad walked past him dressed in full club gear.
      Captain Martin Odegaard noticed the kid practising his skills as his team-mates continued to walk on.
      But the lad’s day was well and truly made by defender Oleksandr Zinchenko, who challenged him to a nutmeg competition.
      The young boy didn’t let the moment get to him, taking on and nutmegging the Ukraine international.
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      Zinchenko was left gobsmacked, putting his hands on his head as one of his team-mates laughed in the background.
      The kid then told the full-back: “I’ve got that on camera.”
      An embarrassed Zinchenko took the nutmeg on the chin and gave the lad a hug before getting on his way.
      The proud-as-punch kid shared the video on social media, writing: “This was the greatest moment of my life so far, I only hope it gets better from here.”
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      Footage of the heartwarming moment went viral, with one fan tweeting: “The beautiful game man.”
      Another said: “I bloody love this.”
      And another said: “Love that. Zinny is just such a Nice guy man.”
      One remarked: “Fair play to the Gooners, memory for life for the kid.”
      And another chimed in: “Looks like one of those movie scenes.”
      Title-chasing Arsenal will look to return to the summit of the Premier League table this afternoon when they travel to the Midlands to play Aston Villa. More

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      Qatar’s Sheikh Jassim vs Sir Jim Ratcliffe: How Man Utd takeover bidders compare from net worth to plans for club

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      QATAR’s Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe have both submitted offers to buy Manchester United.Current owners the Glazers set Friday as a soft deadline for bids to be lodged.
      Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani has submitted a bid for Manchester United
      Brit billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe has also lodged an offerCredit: PA
      Sheikh Jassim’s offer for full control of United is believed to be £5billion.
      And despite Friday’s 10pm deadline, Saudi and US-led consortia are still believed to be in the contest.
      The Glazers revealed in November that they were willing to listen to offers for either a stake in the United or an outright purchase.
      And here SunSport take a look at the two confirmed bidders.
      Read More on Man Utd
      Who are they?
      Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani is chairman of one of Qatar’s biggest banks, QIB.
      He is also the son of a former prime minister of Qatar and a member of the Gulf state’s ruling royal family.
      According to the Guardian, he become a United fan in 1992, which is why his foundation is called the Nine Two Foundation, also a reference to the famous Class of ’92.
      Meanwhile Ratcliffe, 70, is also a Red Devils supporter, and was born in Oldham.
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      He previously revealed last summer that he was interested in taking over the club.
      He is chairman and CEO of chemicals group INEOS, which owns French club Nice, Swiss outfit Lausanne, plus a third of Formula One team Mercedes.
      What is their net worth?
      Sheikh Jassim is chairman of Qatari bank QIB, which has assets of £42bn.
      He is also part of Qatar’s ruling royal family.
      And his offer will raise questions over potential links with PSG, who are owned by the £370bn Qatari Investment Authority.
      Meanwhile, The Sunday Times ‘Rich List’ in 2022 estimated Ratcliffe’s personal fortune at £6.1bn.
      And his overall net worth is around £11.3bn, according to Bloomberg.
      What are their plans for Man Utd?
      Sheikh Jassim’s “debt free” bid through his Nine Two Foundation plans to “return the club to its former glories”.
      United have not won the Premier League since the 2012-13 season, but the bid from Qatar will not only focus on matters on the pitch.
      A statement said: “The bid plans to return the club to its former glories.
      “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 to be renowned for footballing excellence, and regarded as the greatest football club in the world.”
      Ratcliffe on the other hand is targeting a take over of the club that he has supported since he was a boy.
      A source told Sky News that Ratcliffe’s offer is a: “British bid to make the club a beacon for a modern, progressive, fan-centred approach to ownership.”
      Who do the fans want?
      United LGBTQ+ supporters’ group Rainbow Devils voiced concerns about interest from Qatar, where same-sex relationships are criminalised.
      A statement said: “Rainbow Devils believe any bidder must commit to making football a sport for everyone, including LGBTQ+ supporters, players and staff.
      “We therefore have deep concern over some of the bids that are being made.”
      And United fans told SunSport that Ratcliffe is their preferred owner.
      In a vote, 45.75 per cent of fans voted in favour of the Oldham-born billionaire, who has experience in owning a football club, assuming control.
      Read More on The Sun
      But that was only marginally ahead of the 44.55 per cent of fans who voted for Qatari investors.
      3.59 per cent of the vote was in favour of the Glazers staying in charge, while 6.11 per cent of people voting preferred someone other than the previous options.
      United fans have protested against the GlazersCredit: Getty
      Several parties have expressed an interest in taking over at Old TraffordCredit: PA More

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      How much the Glazers will make when they sell Man Utd – with staggering sum set to be TAX FREE

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      THE Glazer family are in line to make a huge profit when they sell Manchester United.Bids have been lodged by Qatari Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani and boyhood United fan Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
      The Glazers stand to make a huge profit on Manchester UnitedCredit: AFP
      The Qatari bid is worth £5bn, far more than the Glazers paid for the Red Devils.
      After purchasing the club in a leveraged buy-out, the Glazer family only put in £150million of their own money in 17 years at the helm, as per Sky Sports – while taking money in dividends.
      They now stand to make at least between £4bn-£5bn.
      And they are even hoping to receive an offer worth £6bn.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      This would see them receive a sum worth around 40 times what they spent on the club.
      The money they receive will also be TAX FREE.
      This is because they moved the official club HQ from Old Trafford to the Cayman Islands.
      Ratcliffe, 70, has revealed his initial aim if named the successful bidder.
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      Having received Wall Street backing, a source close to the INEOS chief told the Telegraph: “His aim is to be a long-term custodian of Manchester United and set the standard for a progressive approach to club ownership.
      “As locally born, he wants to put the Manchester back into Manchester United.”
      Sheikh Jassim, meanwhile, is the son of former Qatari Prime Minister Hamad.
      He has vowed to make the club debt free, while restoring them to “former glories”.
      The Raine Group, the bank overseeing the sale, will determine the next step, following last night’s soft deadline.
      This will involve putting together a shortlist of bidders, much like the one that was compiled during the process that saw Todd Boehly buy Chelsea last year.
      Sir Jim Ratcliffe has submitted a bid for Man UnitedCredit: PA
      Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani has bid £5bn for the Red Devils More

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      Nottingham Forest desperate to offload forgotten star Harry Arter who’s on £40k-a-week and hasn’t played in two years

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      NOTTINGHAM Forest are desperate to unload unwanted former Republic of Ireland midfielder Harry Arter.Arter, 33, has not appeared for the City Ground club for more than two years and is making £40,000 per week kicking his heels without a squad number.
      Arter has made just 14 appearances for Nottingham ForestCredit: Getty
      The midfielder, who joined from Bournemouth in September 2020, made just 14 appearances under then-boss Chris Hughton before falling out of favour.
      A hefty signing on fee means the move has cost Forest around £4m so far even though Arter was banished to the academy in January 2021 in a sign he had no future at the club.
      Loan spells at Charlton and then non-league Notts Co last season saw him play just 15 times across the two moves.
      But having returned to Forest this summer, triggering a doubling of his salary under the terms of his initial move, current City Ground chief Steve Cooper had no interest in bringing him back into the fold.
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      Arter was told to look for another club through last summer’s and the January window.
      Instead, he is said to have not pushed for a move and suggested he is content to run down his salary with one City Ground insider claiming: “He is taking us for a very expensive ride.”
      With no way back for him at Forest it means his 715 minutes of league action since arriving at the club has cost them more than £5,500 per minute of playing time.
      But with 18 months left on his current deal Forest want him out of the door.
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      Nottingham Forest have signed 30 new players since last summer including former Manchester United star Jesse Lingard as well as the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White, Danilo and Keylor Navas.
      Club chiefs have spent around £160million in total in a bid to remain in the Premier League following last season’s promotion.
      And despite Forest’s poor start to 2022-23 campaign the club now sit 14th in the league table, six points clear of the relegation zone. More

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      ‘Serious chance he leaves’ – World Cup winner’s dad hints at shock summer transfer with Chelsea interested

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      ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER could leave Brighton this summer with his father insisting there are “serious chances” for a move.The midfielder has attracted interest from some of Europe’s top club with his performances this season and in Qatar.
      Alexis Mac Allister could leave Brighton this summerCredit: Getty
      Mac Allister has been an important member of the Brighton team this season that has found itself challenging for a spot in Europe.
      The 24-year-old was also impressive for Argentina during the World Cup in Qatar as he helped the team all the way to the trophy.
      And now the player could make a move away from the south coast according to his dad.
      He told TyC Sports: “For now he’s in Brighton.
      READ MORE ON CHELSEA
      “He’s enjoying success in peace, in a team that loves him very much.
      “He feels very well in the club, but we all know that in July there are serious chances he could leave”.
      Mac Allister’s father, who used to play as a left back for Boca Juniors, is his agent.
      Chelsea are interested in signing him from Brighton, as Graham Potter worked with him when he was the manager at the club.
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      However, they will have to fight off competition from Serie A giants Juventus who have been heavily linked with an interest in him.
      Brighton will not let their star midfielder move cheap and will be expecting a top price in order to sell him.
      The Seagulls have a great record when it comes to selling players in recent years, earning bigs sums from stars such as Ben White, Marc Cucurella and Yves Bissouma.
      The club are also likely to lose Moises Caicedo this summer, so will be less in a position to accommodate teams wanting to poach their talent. More

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      Who was Christian Atsu’s wife Marie-Claire Rupio?

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      CHRISTIAN ATSU has been tragically found dead 12 days after the Turkey earthquake, it has been confirmed.The former Newcastle and Chelsea player was caught up in the devastating 7.8-magnitude quake that rocked Turkey and Syria on February 6, killing more than 43,000 people.
      Christian Atsu previously played for Chelsea, Newcastle and EvertonCredit: AFP
      “Atsu’s lifeless body was found under the rubble,” Murat Uzunmehmet told reporters in Hatay.
      “Currently, more items are still being taken out. His phone was also found.”
      There were initial reports the midfielder had been rescued a day after the quake, but these turned out to be false.
      Who is Christian Atsu’s wife?
      Atsu met his wife Marie-Claire Rupio in Portugal nearly a decade ago when he was playing for Porto.
      The pair got married in 2012 and welcomed three kids to their lives.
      Atsu said to Tv3 Sports: “I met my wife in Portugal and you can see we have a beautiful family. We’ve been together for nine to ten years and I just love her.”
      Christian Atsu married wife Marie-Claire in 2012
      Atsu previously played for Chelsea, Everton, Newcastle and Bournemouth in the Premier League.
      The 31-year-old has also had spells in Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Spain and Holland.
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      Premier League cult hero looks unrecognisable after swapping flowing locks and headband for sleek new look

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      A PREMIER LEAGUE cult hero looks unrecognisable having swapped his long hair and headband for a sleek new look. The former footballer looks a different man from his playing days.
      The former Premier League star at a Fifa eventCredit: Instagram juanpabloangel9
      The cult hero with Fifa President Gianni InfantinoCredit: Instagram juanpabloangel9
      The 47 year old made 175 appearances in the Premier League scoring 44 goals and providing 14 assists.
      The striker spent six years at Aston Villa who he joined for a then club record fee of £9.5m from Argentine side River Plate.
      His most prolific season came under David O’Leary in the 2003/2004 season where he scored 23 goals in all competitions.
      Villa finished sixth and made the semi-finals of the League Cup.
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      The forward left the Premier League for the MLS in 2007 where he played for New York Red Bulls, Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA.
      If you haven’t guessed by now it is of course Columbia’s Juan Pablo Angel.
      During his time with the Villain’s Angel became somewhat of a cult hero but at first found it difficult to adapt to his new life thousands of miles from home.
      The Columbian documented his struggles on The Coaches’ Voice website.
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      Juan Pablo Angel celebrates scoring for Aston VillaCredit: Getty
      Angel in action for Aston Villa against Manchester UnitedCredit: Reuters
      He wrote: “Things weren’t easy. There is always a normal adaptation process that every player must face but I went through a difficult personal situation away from the game.”
      “My wife became ill when we came to England and she spent almost six months in hospital when we had our first child.”
      “But the league itself had its own difficulties. The language, the weather, the physicality and speed of the competition.”
      “And, in terms of organisation, the club wasn’t really prepared when it came to bringing in overseas players from our region.”
      He ended his career where it started at Atletico Nacional and retired in December 2014. More