PSG president insists he has 'nothing to do with the United takeover'
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi DENIES he has been involved in the takeover of Man United after reports claimed he was ‘approached by Sheikh Jassim’
- PSG owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi has denied involvement in United’s takeover
- Previous reports claimed he’d acted as an intermediary in Sheikh Jassim’s bid
- He has now insisted that the speculation over his involvement made him ‘laugh’
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has claimed he has ‘nothing to do’ with the takeover bid placed for Manchester United.
Reports on Friday claimed the PSG chief had been advising Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani and his Nine Two Foundation over the bid to take full control of the club.
However, the prominent Qatari figure has revealed that he has had no involvement in the process and remains fully focused on the French side.
‘Paris St-Germain is my club, in my heart, and I have nothing to do with Manchester United,’ he told BBC Sport.
‘It makes me laugh. I am Qatari, right? If people ask me my opinion, I will answer them for sure – and that’s what they do.
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has denied involvement in the United takeover process
It had been reported that he’d acted as an intermediary for Sheikh Jassim’s (pictured) team
Manchester United is currently up for sale amid an ongoing takeover battle that is being dragged out
‘I am talking about anyone, not just Manchester United. I will give them the experience that I have. That’s it.’
It is had previously been suggested that the 49-year-old PSG head was initially asked for advice on what he feels is a sound valuation of the 13-time Premier League champions who boast huge global appeal.
Sheikh Jassim subsequently made a fifth, and as Mail Sport exclusively revealed, final bid to secure complete ownership of the club that will additionally see him wipe away existing debt and hand Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag a boosted transfer kitty to spend on new players.
However, they are in a two-horse race with British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe who wants to acquire an initial majority stake that could eventually lead to a complete takeover.
In further conversation with BBC Sport, Al-Khelaifi denied that he met with the Raine Group but did welcome new investment into the sport
‘I want the best for European competitions. If it’s within the regulation, why not? Not only Qatari, everyone.’
The PSG president did admit that he would give his opinion to those that asked
United was put up for sale in November and negotiations have so far been long-winded with no proposed end date that has frustrated supporters who want to see a takeover completed before the transfer window opens on June 14.
Little is known about Sheikh Jassim who is the preferred bidder of United’s fanbase, with his personal fortune unrevealed, although it is believed that he has the funds required to become the new owner at Old Trafford.
He is the chair of the Qatari Islamic Bank and is thought to have a close connection with Al-Khelaifi who is a director of Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund (QIA).
Mail Sport’s Mike Keegan has been providing updates on the ownership struggle and recently answered the questions of concerned fans who are eager to find out more on the latest developments.
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