Sheikh Jassim ‘tempted’ to rectify six-year £72m transfer failure at Man Utd

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It recently emerged that Sheikh Jassim was ‘tempted’ by the idea of potentially bringing Kylian Mbappe to Manchester United. With the France international possibly set to leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer, a move to the Premier League would certainly be spectacular. And any deal for the 24-year-old would also come six years after the Red Devils first tried, and failed, to land the striker.

Back in 2017, Mbappe had established himself as one of the best young forwards on the planet.

Few had heard of him 12 months previously but, after propelling Monaco to Ligue 1 title glory, his stock drastically soared.

That summer, United wanted to bring in a new No 9 to play at the tip of Jose Mourinho’s attack.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic had been struck down with a serious injury, having flourished following his move from Paris Saint-Germain.

And Mourinho wanted United to take action and bring in a player to propel the club to the Premier League title.

In May of that year, The Guardian revealed United had tabled a massive £72million bid in order to try and sign Mbappe.

Read more Man Utd round-up with Sheikh Jassim U-turn and Greenwood making extra money[ROUND-UP]

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It was claimed Monaco snubbed this because they were hoping to sell the France international for far more further down the line.

And even though United qualified for the Champions League by winning the Europa League, they ended up missing out.

Mbappe would go to PSG, initially on loan, before sealing a permanent move for a fee of around £166m in 2018.

United then settled for the arrival of Romelu Lukaku, having also unsuccessfully pursued a deal for Antoine Griezmann.

Fast-forward to now, and Erik ten Hag is determined to bring in a new striker.

And Sheikh Jassim, who is the frontrunner in the race to buy the club, would be ‘tempted’ by a potential deal for Mbappe.

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However, while that’s the case, it’s still hard to see the 2018 World Cup winner strutting his stuff at Old Trafford.

And that’s because it’s an open secret Mbappe dreams of playing for Real Madrid, who seem to be positioning themselves to make a deal happen.

Los Blancos, like United, missed out on the 24-year-old in 2017.

They also failed to acquire Mbappe last year, too, with the PSG star signing a new contract on that occasion.

But Real need a superstar in the wake of Karim Benzema’s departure – and Mbappe is their No 1 target.

On top of Benzema leaving, the La Liga titans have also taken action to trim their wage bill.

Marco Asensio and Eden Hazard have both been cut loose, with the duo now free agents.

And what ultimately happens with Mbappe, amid interest from Real and Sheikh Jassim, remains to be seen.

Speaking recently, however, he insisted he would be staying at PSG for at least one more year.

“I have already said before that I’d stay [at PSG]. I have only decided to play at PSG next season,” he said.

“Many things can happen in a year, especially at a club like PSG.”

He also hit out at suggestions at French President Emmanuel Macron was involved in the uncertainty over his future.

“What influence does the president have? On my career today, in 2023, none,” he snapped.

“He wants me to stay in Paris, my objective is to stay. We’re on the same wavelength.

“Am I going to leave PSG? I’ve already answered, I’ve said that my objective is to stay at PSG, that’s my only option at the moment.

“I’m ready to come back when preseason resumes.

“I didn’t think a letter killed anyone or that I had offended anyone.”

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