Manchester United are reportedly planning to move for Kylian Mbappe this summer if Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani completes a takeover of the club.
Sheikh Jassim is believed to have moved into pole position to purchase Man United from the Glazers, with the Qatari banker potentially beating Sir Jim Ratcliffe to a deal.
A preferred bidder for the club is expected to be named in the near future, and Sheikh Jassim's latest offer is believed to have placed him at the top of the list ahead of Ratcliffe.
According to El Pais, should the takeover occur, the chairman of Qatar Investment Bank is planning to make an attempt to bring Mbappe to Old Trafford from Paris Saint-Germain.
The report claims that Sheikh Jassim has privately maintained that Mbappe would be his leading target in his first transfer window as the club's owner, and the France international is believed to be aware that the chance to move to Man United in the current market could open up.
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On Monday evening, Mbappe presented a letter to PSG's owners, revealing that he would not be taking up the option of signing a one-year contract extension next summer.
As a result, the 24-year-old's existing deal in Paris will expire next June, and PSG are reportedly planning to sell him this summer if he does not agree to signing a new contract.
Mbappe has ruled out a summer move away from the French champions, but the club are allegedly not prepared to let him leave on a free transfer next year due to his immense valuation.
Real Madrid were widely expected to sign the attacker on a free transfer last year, but he ultimately decided to sign a new contract in the French capital.
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Los Blancos continue to be heavily linked with Mbappe, although it remains to be seen whether the club are able to commit to another big-money deal this summer due to the recent arrival of Jude Bellingham.
The attacker enjoyed an excellent campaign for PSG in terms of numbers, scoring 41 goals and registering 10 assists in 43 appearances in all competitions.
However, the Paris outfit again fell short in the Champions League, and there will be big changes at the club this summer, with Lionel Messi leaving on a free transfer.
Man United are one of a select few clubs capable of affording to bring in Mbappe, and Sheikh Jassim is believed to be prepared to make substantial funds available to head coach Erik ten Hag if he is successful in completing a takeover this summer.
Mbappe has been with PSG since 2017, initially on loan from Monaco, and he has represented the club on 260 occasions, scoring 212 goals and registering 98 assists in the process.
Matt Law
