Report: Major Qatari Shift from United to Tottenham? | OneFootball

Sheikh Jassim’s Premier League Ambitions: From Man Utd to Tottenham?

The Premier League’s Allure for International Investors

The English Premier League, revered for its global appeal and competitive nature, continues to attract high-profile investors. Amid this influx, Sheikh Jassim, a prominent Qatari businessman, emerged with keen interest in Manchester United. However, following an unsuccessful bid, his attention could be swaying towards another footballing giant—Tottenham Hotspur.

Man Utd’s Takeover Saga: An Unexpected Turn

Initially, Sheikh Jassim positioned himself as a serious contender in the bid to acquire Manchester United, challenging the likes of Britain’s wealthiest individual, Sir Jim Ratcliffe. However, as reported by The Mirror, the tides have turned, with Ratcliffe now on the brink of securing a 25% stake in the esteemed club, charting his path towards a potential full-scale takeover.

Photo: IMAGO

This development leaves Sheikh Jassim at a crossroads, pondering his next move in the realm of football investments. His aspirations remain tethered to the Premier League, a market he deems ripe with opportunity and international acclaim.

Qatar’s Growing Football Portfolio

Qatar’s sports investment landscape, though burgeoning, observes its regional counterparts, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi, making significant strides within the Premier League. The success stories of clubs like Manchester City and Newcastle United under their respective ownerships have not gone unnoticed, inciting a desire among Qatari investors to craft their narrative within English football.

In this context, Sheikh Jassim’s approach to acquire Manchester United involved strategic counsel from Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Paris Saint-Germain’s president. Al-Khelaifi, at the helm of Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), has been instrumental in PSG’s rise since their 2011 takeover. Their discourse extended to potential valuations, aligning with the Glazers’ steep £6.4 billion price tag for United.

Tottenham: A New Horizon for Qatari Investments?

Recent months saw Al-Khelaifi and Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy engage in discussions, potentially sowing the seeds for QSI’s investment in the North London club. Although these talks don’t guarantee an immediate investment from QSI into Tottenham, they could pave the way for an independent consortium spearheaded by Sheikh Jassim.

Photo: IMAGO

Investing in Tottenham represents more than an ownership stake; it’s an entry into the heart of England’s capital, mirroring QSI’s strategic move with PSG in France. The benefits are twofold—a prestigious club in the world’s most-watched league and a potential challenge to the regional rivals’ Premier League influence.

QSI’s Broader Investment Strategy

Beyond PSG, QSI maintains a 21.67% holding in Portugal’s Braga and aims to extend its reach across European and South American football. This global vision underscores their recent negotiations for a potential stake in Spain’s Malaga, a club facing dire financial straits despite its past glories under Abdullah Al Thani, another member of Qatar’s ruling elite.

Concluding Thoughts: The Evolving Football Investment Landscape

The narrative of international investment in football is ever-evolving, with entities like QSI and influential figures such as Sheikh Jassim seeking to expand their portfolios. While the immediate future of Sheikh Jassim’s involvement in the Premier League remains undetermined, the shift from Manchester United to Tottenham underscores the fluidity and complexity of modern football ownership.