Man United’s move to Jude Bellingham and their other transfer plans are in limbo amid their takeover uncertainty as new owners face a race against time to get into the summer term
- Both Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani have submitted bids
- City believe they are in a good position to sign Jude Bellingham in the summer
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Manchester United’s move to Jude Bellingham – along with the rest of their summer transfer activity – is surrounded by uncertainty as the takeover saga continues.
Sports mail understands that Erik ten Hag wants the Premier League giants to compete with neighbors City and Real Madrid for the England star, who is expected to leave Borussia Dortmund this summer.
But sources have revealed United’s schedule is hampered by uncertainty over who will own the club in the summer – and whether a takeover will go through in time.
As this newspaper reported last November, City believe they are in a good position, and little has been done since then to change that position.
The relationship between them and Dortmund is very strong and was helped by the deal that brought Erling Haaland to the Etihad Stadium last summer. The first talks have been held.
Jude Bellingham is likely to become the subject of a massive bidding war between Europe’s biggest clubs
Erik ten Hag wants Manchester United to compete with Man City and Real Madrid for the English star
The Red Devils are in the middle of a takeover and uncertainty about new owners is hampering plans for next season
Liverpool have now pulled out of the fray, deciding instead to use the available money for a rebuild, rather than what – at more than £110 million – would be a major signing.
United are excited about the 19-year-old all-action midfielder, who would command a British record fee. But the situation at Old Trafford is clouded by the ongoing sale and investment process.
As reported on Wednesday, a third and final offer has been requested by Raine, the US bank that manages the process for the owners of the club, the Glazer family.
A deadline of April 28 has been set, but it remains to be seen whether a full sale, with offers from Qatari sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, will prevail or whether the Glazers will instead go for investment. in exchange for a partial bet.
Extensive due diligence should also be conducted before any deal can be closed.
That means there would be a race of time for new owners to be in office before the opening of the summer transfer window, which is expected to be early June.
As revealed in the Simon Jones newsletter on Tuesday, United are eyeing a massive summer cleanup, with up to 13 players on the brink of leaving.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City has a good working relationship with Borussia Dortmund
Britain’s richest man, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has made a bid to buy the club, although it remains to be seen whether it will be accepted.
Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani claimed that he would invest heavily in the club and the community
The selection of Manchester United could get a major makeover under Ten Hag in the summer
That group includes Harry Maguire, Anthony Elanga and Eric Bailly.
However, it is unlikely that such an eviction would raise the funds needed to bring Bellingham to Old Trafford.
Sheikh Jassim has already said he will invest heavily in the club and community and it is likely that a sizeable transfer pot will be handed to ten Hag if his bid is successful.
The likelihood of that being in time for the summer term, however, depends on a bidder’s choice not long after April 28 and the subsequent round-the-clock work to close the deal.