Qatar Sports Investments have begun planning for the potential takeover of Manchester United, as they bid to turn a valuable asset into a 'feeder club' for United and Paris Saint-Germain.
Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani has made his desire to purchase Manchester United known, and is believed to have submitted a second bid to purchase the club from Joel Glazer and the Glazer family last week.
Should Sheikh Jassim be successful in purchasing the club, then he would join Paris Saint Germain's Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in becoming the second Qatari owner of a high-profile European football club.
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It is understood that Qatar Sports Investments are already planning for success should the Manchester United takeover prove to be successful, with plans in place to 'mould Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Sporting Braga into European football's most powerful multi-club network.'
As reported the Daily Record, QSI executives intend to use Portuguese club Braga - also owned by the QSI - as a development club for both PSG and United.
The intention would be to send European and South American talent on loan to the Liga NOS outfit in order to gain valuable experience before moving back to either PSG or Manchester United in order to fulfil their potential.
Sheikh Jassim has made no secret of his desire to purchase the 20-time Premier League winning side, and has allegedly pitched a joint venture between his group and the Glazers - who own NFL franchise the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - which would see an NFL game held in the Middle East.
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There are other parties interesting in pursuing a deal for the Premier League side, with Britain's richest man - Sir Jim Ratcliffe - confirming that he has also made a big to buy Manchester United from the Glazer family.
There still seems a long way to go before any deals are finalised though, with the Glazer family understood to be holding out for a bid that matches their valuation of $6 billion. It is thought that neither Sheikh Jassim or Ratcliffe have come close to that valuation so far.
Topics: Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain
Tom Young