Man Utd’s Sheikh Jassim takeover hopes could be dashed after Tottenham announcement

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani was one of the frontrunners to purchase Manchester United when the Glazers opened themselves up to offers but could now turn his attention to Tottenham

Manchester United fans’ dreams of Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani taking the reins of the club may have been dealt a blow following recent developments at Tottenham.

Spurs dropped the bombshell this week that their chairman of 25 years, Daniel Levy, had parted ways with the club. This news sent shockwaves through the football world given Levy’s deep affection for the north London club and his previous insistence that he wouldn’t step down.

Rumours are swirling that Levy was nudged out by the owners, the ENIC Group, as they aim to elevate Spurs to new heights. Despite Tottenham’s statement insisting that this decision won’t lead to a takeover, speculation is rampant that the owners will sell up sooner rather than later.

Newcastle’s former owner Amanda Staveley has previously shown interest in investing in Spurs, as has Sheikh Jassim. The Qatari banker was a leading contender to buy United when the Glazers were open to offers.

Sheikh Jassim’s plan was for a full takeover, but it quickly became apparent that the Glazers were only interested in selling a minority stake in the club. While this wasn’t something the Sheikh was willing to consider, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos agreed, leading to the current structure of the club, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Not long after, the banker was linked with a move to Spurs amid whispers that an opportunity could arise to buy them. However, there’s still a long road ahead before any deal could be finalised.

Ratcliffe and Ineos seem dedicated to the long-haul project at United, which might lead Sheikh Jassim to believe that a move for Tottenham could be a swifter route into the Premier League’s top tier.

Levy’s departure adds an unexpected turn to the narrative, as it’s evident that Spurs are currently undergoing a boardroom transition.

Whether this increases or decreases the likelihood of an imminent full takeover is yet to be determined. However, as it stands, it appears more probable that Sheikh Jassim will acquire Spurs rather than the Reds.