June 12 – Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi (pictured) has insisted that he is not part of any potential Qatari-led bid to buy Manchester United.
Speaking in Istanbul ahead of the Champions League final, Al-Khelaifi, head of the European Club Association, distanced himself from countryman Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani’s proposed takeover of United which has still to be finalised.
“Paris Saint-Germain is my club, my heart and nothing to do with Man United,” he was quoted as saying by The Associated Press.
On Friday it was reported Al-Khelaifi had played a “significant” role in talks over Sheikh Jassim’s attempt to buy out United owners, the Glazer family.
“I’m not working for anyone. I want the best for football,” he responded, adding he was always willing to talk to clubs generally.
“If they ask me my opinion I will answer them for sure and that’s what they do. Anyone, not just Man United. I will give them my experience that I have. That’s it.”
Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim is competing with British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe for ownership of United, which is estimated to reach a sale price of as high as $6 billion.
The Glazers announced in November that they were exploring “strategic alternatives” after owning the club since 2005. That included a possible full sale or minority investment.
PSG is owned by Qatar Sports Investments and has spent exorbitant amounts of money on some of the game’s biggest players including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.
The Qatari bid for United is under close scrutiny, over whether it is allowed to become the latest English club to come under what is perceived by many to be effectively state ownership. The Qataris will need to prove that is not the case if they become the single preferred bidder.
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