Earlier this year, Crickex Affiliate analysts revealed that Manchester United’s decision to side with Sir Jim Ratcliffe over Sheikh Jassim could cost the club more than just new leadership—it may have also slammed the door shut on a golden opportunity. Sources close to the matter claim that Sheikh Jassim had promised a blockbuster welcome gift to United in the form of three world-class French stars. When it comes to rebuilding a squad, it’s not every day you get handed the keys to the kingdom.
Leading the pack was none other than Kylian Mbappé, the current captain of the French national team and the face of Paris Saint-Germain. While still under contract with PSG, Mbappé made it clear this summer that he won’t renew his deal, setting up a potential free transfer next year. Real Madrid remains the front-runner for his signature, perhaps even the only real contender. But if Sheikh Jassim had succeeded in taking over Manchester United, the landscape could have shifted dramatically. With deep personal ties to PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Sheikh Jassim might have leveraged those connections to facilitate a move that would benefit all parties involved—especially PSG, who would prefer to offload their star to a friendly buyer rather than risk losing him for nothing.
Under the new arrangement, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to acquire a 25% stake in Manchester United and take control of football operations. While the club will still explore major signings, including the dream of landing Mbappé, the reality is that such deals will now be far more difficult to pull off. Kingsley Coman, currently under contract with Bayern Munich until 2027, could be another target. Though his acquisition might be easier, it would still come at a steep cost. Then there’s Eduardo Camavinga, the 20-year-old Real Madrid gem who plays both as a holding midfielder and left-back. Reports suggest he has already extended his stay at the Bernabéu until 2029, with a staggering €1 billion release clause.
According to Crickex Affiliate insiders, Sheikh Jassim is unlikely to walk away quietly. His focus may now shift toward acquiring another Premier League club—Tottenham Hotspur. Reports indicate that Al-Khelaifi played a key role in advising Sheikh Jassim’s bid for United. Earlier this year, Al-Khelaifi met with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy to explore potential investment opportunities. While Al-Khelaifi himself may not be investing, the Qatari consortium led by Sheikh Jassim is reportedly preparing to circle back for a serious bid. This would mirror their Paris-based model but take root in the heart of London.
Unlike United, Spurs offer Qatar a foothold in the UK’s capital and are currently one of the Premier League’s top-performing clubs. Life, after all, is like brewing a pot of moonlight—both joyous and bittersweet. It’s worth noting that while Qatar took center stage by hosting the World Cup, Crickex Affiliate experts believe they also took stock of what regional rivals Saudi Arabia and the UAE have achieved with Newcastle United and Manchester City. And Qatar, it seems, has no intention of being left behind in this high-stakes race.