Qatari bid for Manchester United has raised ‘SIGNIFICANT worries at PSG’ with fears the Red Devils ‘will be prioritised’ if a deal goes through, despite the Premier League giants being eyed up by a private group of investors.
Reports in France suggest there are several concerns about the potential impact on PSG if Manchester United are taken over by Qatari investors.
Sportsmail revealed last week that a Qatar-based consortium had launched a bid for United, but faced a potential hurdle in UEFA rules which ban one owner controlling multiple teams in their competitions – Qatar Sports Investments already own the French giants.
However, Sportsmail then reported this week that UEFA will not block a Qatari bid for Manchester United in a major boost for the interested group from the oil-rich state.
The United bid will come from a separate entity to QSI, which is likely to satisfy officials. UEFA sources have also disclosed that there is not going to be any problem with the Qatari proposal, which is being worked on around the clock ahead of the Friday 10pm deadline imposed by investment bank Raine, who are overseeing the sale for United.
However, French outlet L’Equipe has reported how there are significant worries about the impact a takeover of United could have on PSG.
There are concerns in France about the impact on PSG if Qatari investors take over Man United
PSG were taken over by Qatar Sports Investment in 2011 and have been transformed into heavyweights of European football, winning Ligue 1 in eight of the last 10 seasons
PSG president and QSI chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi has insisted the involvement from private Qatari investors in United will have no impact in QSI’s commitment to the Parisians
The Parisians were taken over by QSI in 2011 and have been transformed into powerhouses of French and European football, winning Ligue 1 in eight of the last 10 seasons, while they have regularly reached the latter stages of the Champions League.
Authorities in Qatar have insisted the plans to bid for United are completely separate and independent to QSI’s involvement in Paris, with PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi, along with other voices from the state, claiming QSI will continue to invest in the club.
This includes the development of the club’s training centre, which is expected to cost an estimated £311m, along with the desire to purchase the club’s Parc des Princes stadium from Paris City council.
However, the report states the news regarding United is still likely to have an impact on the club.
Firstly, the private investors who are in the running for the Red Devils will operate in the shadow of the Qatar Investment Authority – the sovereign wealth fund of the country – which reports directly to Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, meaning it will ultimately be up to the Emir whether to invest in the Red Devils.
This would raise questions about a conflict of interest if Qatari investors were to own two of the world’s biggest clubs and where their funds would be prioritised.
It is all the more pertinent given the potential bid for United comes at a time when the PSG project seems to be on the back-foot, with the club struggling to make its mark in the Champions League over recent seasons, while they currently face several on-field and off-field problems.
It is also reported that Qatar has always been keen to buy a club in England due to the high-profile nature and increased income opportunities of the Premier League, with United seen as the crown jewel of the country’s top flight.
Ligue 1 is viewed by the Qataris as lacking growth potential, along with its reputation on an international level being much lower than the Premier League.
QSI also has to underwrite significant losses every season at the club, with the Parisians making a £328m loss in the 2021-22 season – something that has raised significant questions among the Qataris regarding their investment.
There are concerns that if United were bought by Qatari investors, they would focus their funding on the English giants.
This would be particularly pertinent in regards to sponsorship.
PSG’s current deal with front-of-shirt sponsor Qatar Airways – which the report states is worth more than £100m this season – would potentially be reduced, and this currently makes up 20 per cent of the club’s revenues, meaning it would have a significant impact.
United’s owners Joel (L) and Avram (R) Glazer put the Red Devils up for sale back in November
There are concerns that Qatari leaders are beginning to feel disengaged with the PSG project
There is also a feeling among Qatari leaders that they haven’t received the recognition they deserve for the impact they have had on French football by transforming PSG into European heavyweights.
They are also reportedly beginning to feel disengaged with the project and at several times over recent years a partial or full sale has been considered by the club.
One source quoted in the L’Equipe report said: ‘If Qatar buys Manchester United there is a chance that it will be less generous with PSG and that it will make it a Ligue 1 club and no longer a team cut out to win the Champions League.’
It remains to be seen what will happen, but if Qatari investment in United does impact the state’s involvement in PSG, it could bring huge consequences for the French giants.
source: dailymail.co.uk
