One of the most iconic clubs in the world is up for grabs (Picture: Getty)
Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani has made a bid to buy Manchester United, who have finally been put up for sale by the Glazer family after years of fan outrage at their ownership.
Sheikh Jassim made an official £4 billion bid to buy the Premier League club in full before the soft deadline for all potential buyers to submit opening offers on February 17.
He faces competition from British businessman Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has made a bid for majority ownership of the club.
But who exactly is Sheikh Jassim? Here is everything we know about Manchester United’s possible new owner.
Who is Sheikh Jassim?
Sheikh Jassim is the chairman of Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB), one of the biggest banks in the Middle East, and a member of the Qatari royal family.
The Glazers are disliked by many fans at Old Trafford (Picture: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Born in 1982, Sheikh Jassim is thought to be a lifelong Manchester United supporter and it is understood that his foundation, Nine Two Foundation, is a reference to United’s infamous Class of 92 squad led by Ryan Giggs and David Beckham.
His father, Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, was the Qatari prime minister between 2007 and 2013 and has been involved in the running of PSG.
Sheikh Jassim undertook his education at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, graduating as an officer cadet before eventually becoming a banker.
He has also previously been a board member at Credit Suisse, one of the biggest investment banks in the world.
What is Sheikh Jassim’s net worth?
The net worth of Sheikh Jassim is unclear, but his family is thought to have a collective net worth of around £275 billion, Manchester Evening News reports.
The QIB has been ranked in third place in Forbes Middle East’s top 30 most valuable companies in Qatar.
The Glazer family took full control of the club in 2005 (Picture: Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
What has Sheikh Jassim said about buying Manchester United?
Sheikh Jassim released a statement via his Nine Two Foundation on Saturday, February 18 confirming he had made a bid for United.
The statement read: ‘Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani today confirmed his submission of a bid for 100% of Manchester United.
‘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 once more.
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‘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.
‘More details of the bid will be released, when appropriate, if and when the bid process develops.’
MORE : Brendan Rodgers warns Manchester United they could become Qatari ‘plaything’ amid takeover talks
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Another billionaire has thrown their hat into the ring.
