Ibrahim Oladamola
Paris St-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi says he has had nothing to do with the takeover of Manchester United.
Al-Khelaifi was contacted by the Glazer family a month ago as United’s owners tried to get Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani to raise his offer.
Sheikh Jassim has repeatedly said his offer was made in a personal capacity.
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Speaking in Istanbul before the Champions League final after a meeting of the influential European Clubs’ Association (ECA) he chairs, Al-Khelaifi said he has done nothing unusual and his involvement is solely with PSG.
“Paris St-Germain is my club, in my heart, and I have nothing to do with Manchester United,” he said.
“It makes me laugh. I am Qatari, right? If people ask me my opinion, I will answer them for sure – and that’s what they do.
“I am talking about anyone, not just Manchester United. I will give them the experience that I have. That’s it.”
Last week, Sheikh Jassim’s lodged his fifth bid for United which remains on the table despite suggestions he would not engage with the process beyond last Friday.
He wants to buy 100% of United, while rival bidder Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos Group are willing to secure a majority stake, which would allow the Glazer family to retain representation in some capacity.
Al Khelaifi is the chairman of beIN Sport, a state-owned broadcaster based in Doha as well as the boss of Qatari Sports Investments.
He demonstrated his willingness to offer advice by revealing last month he spoke to a wealthy group who wanted information around potential investment in two English clubs.
“I’m not going to mention them but one was small, the other big,” he said. “I don’t know who the guy was. But I told him my opinion.”
Al-Khelaifi, who denies he met the Raine Group who are handling the United sale process, says he welcomes new investment into the game, from Qatar and elsewhere.
“I want the best for European competitions,” he said.
“If it’s within the regulation, why not? Not only Qatari, everyone.”
