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Qatari royal’s Manchester United takeover to be announced ‘soon’: report

Al-Watan paper, which is owned by Jassim’s father Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, reported late Sunday that the Qatari bid for the Red Devils had been successful.
Manchester United's English striker Marcus Rashford (C) and Manchester City's English defender Kyle Walker (R) compete during the English FA Cup final football match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley stadium, in London, on June 3, 2023. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Qatar’s Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani looks set to win the race to take over Manchester United after “successful talks,” and an official announcement is expected imminently, according to reports from Qatar.

Jassim, chairman of Qatar Islamic Bank and son of a former Qatari prime minister, has been competing with British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe and his petrochemicals company INEOS to buy the British soccer club. Jassim has made the bid through his Nine Two Foundation, which appears to be named after United’s famed 1992 team that won the club’s inaugural Premier League title.   

For the last few weeks, INEOS has been reported to be the frontrunner in taking over the team. INEOS is understood to be offering to buy a 60% stake in the club, allowing current owners, the Glazer family, to hold onto a stake.

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