The end of the Manchester United takeover saga may finally be on the horizon, with reports from Qatar claiming that Sheikh Jassim is set to be announced as the preferred bidder.
Sheikh Jassim is already receiving slaps on the back from his peers in Qatar, sparking excitement in the United fanbase. The Qatari banker is bidding to buy 100 per cent of the club in a deal which would see the Glazer family step back from running United, who they bought in a debt-leveraged buyout in 2005.
If Sheikh Jassim does indeed beat Sir Jim Ratcliffe in the race to buy United then Erik ten Hag’s hand could well be strengthened in the summer transfer window. Ten Hag has previously admitted he is in the dark when it comes to his budget this summer, but Sheikh Jassim’s bid is understood to include considerable funding for the playing squad.
Ten Hag would be delighted to receive backing in the transfer window, which opens on Wednesday and runs until September 1. But which players would be on the wishlist? Mirror Football takes a look at the most exciting possibilities.
Harry Kane
United need to sign a world-class striker this summer, that much is clear. They have been keeping tabs on Victor Osimhen, Goncalo Ramos, Mohammed Kudus, Randal Kolo Muani and Rasmus Hojlund – but Kane would be the best of the lot.
Tottenham are reluctant to sell their talisman, and chairman Daniel Levy is a notoriously difficult person to deal with in the transfer window. But, backed by Qatari cash, United would be able to make a bid Spurs cannot refuse for the man who miraculously scored 30 goals this season, despite playing for a dysfunctional side who were led by three managers and finished eighth in the Premier League.
Kane is keen on United and Sheikh Jassim could make a move feasible.
Neymar
Kylian Mbappe has caused a stir by sending a letter to the Paris Saint-Germain hierarchy to inform them he won’t sign a new contract. The news will have turned heads in Manchester, but really if Mbappe does leave PSG, it will likely be for Real Madrid, who need a replacement for Karim Benzema.
The future of Mbappe’s PSG teammate Neymar is much more interesting for United. PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has denied he was involved in Sheikh Jassim’s communications with the Glazers, but he may be in contact over Neymar.
The Brazilian star is open to leaving PSG after fans demanded he be sold and United is an intriguing option. The 31-year-old forward would be the archetype of a statement signing for the new regime.
Moises Caicedo
If you’ve got Neymar in the team then you will need some hard-working players behind him in midfield to win the ball back. United have already got Casemiro, but with Ten Hag open to selling Scott McTominay and Fred, they want another ball-winning midfielder.
Moises Caicedo is poised to leave Brighton following another stellar campaign on the south coast and United are among those to have enquired about the Ecuador international.
The 21-year-old came close to joining Arsenal in January, but with the Gunners focusing on Declan Rice, United can steal a march on fellow suitors Liverpool and Chelsea in negotiations.
Diogo Costa
David de Gea’s future remains up in the air, with the veteran Spaniard still yet to sign a new contract with United. Whether he stays or goes, United need a new goalkeeper, with Dean Henderson ready to leave on a permanent deal after spending the season on loan at Nottingham Forest.
As Mirror Football reported, United are looking at three goalkeepers: Diogo Costa of Porto, Inter Milan’s Andre Onana and Brentford’s David Raya. With Brentford holding out for £40m for Raya, despite only a year remaining on his deal, Costa might be the best bet.
The 23-year-old Portugal international previously had a €75m (£64.2m) price tag slapped on his head, but it is now believed he can be signed for around €60m (£51.3m).
Jurrien Timber
Ten Hag wants a new defender this summer and a move for Timber makes a great deal of sense. The 21-year-old knows Ten Hag well from his time at Ajax and has the flexibility to play in a few different positions.
He has frequently been linked with a move to United and has admitted that a transfer is very much on the cards this summer. “A transfer is getting closer and closer, so to speak,” he revealed to De Telegraaf in April. “At the Dutch national team, I often talk to boys who play football abroad. I want to take that step someday.”
Sheikh Jassim’s money would allow United to snap him up.
