Sheikh Jassim's father eyes Inter Milan minority stake after Man Utd bid failed

Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani’s family could be on the verge of entering European football ownership after missing out on Manchester United. According to Tuttosport, his father Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani — widely known as HBJ — has held preliminary discussions about Al Mirqab, the Qatari investment firm where Sheikh Jassim holds a prominent role, acquiring a minority stake in Inter Milan.

Sheikh Jassim had been one of the leading candidates to buy United when the Glazer family began exploring a sale in 2022, pursuing a full takeover before the Americans ultimately chose to sell a minority shareholding to Sir Jim Ratcliffe during the 2023/24 season.

Inter’s current owners, Oaktree Capital Management, are not believed to be considering a full sale, but Tuttosport suggests they may be open to parting with a non-controlling share. HBJ, 67, previously served six years as Qatar’s prime minister after two decades as foreign minister. Forbes values his fortune at $4.7bn (£3.52bn), placing him 823rd on its global billionaires list, while Sheikh Jassim’s own wealth is estimated at between £900m and £1.1bn.

The Al Mirqab group — which shares its name with HBJ’s yacht — has historically invested in finance, hotels, and high-end property. Tuttosport notes that a growing portion of this real estate portfolio is now based in Italy, with HBJ reportedly spending increasing amounts of time in Milan.

This would not be the family’s first attempt to buy into Inter. Tuttosport also claims Sheikh Jassim previously pursued a purchase of the club from former owners Suning, withdrawing only after failing to agree on a price. Suning ultimately sold to Oaktree in 2024.

On the pitch, Inter remain one of Europe’s most competitive clubs. They reached the Champions League final in 2025, losing to Paris Saint-Germain, and have won Serie A in two of the past three seasons. Under Christian Chivu this term, they lead the Serie A standings with 16 points from a possible 18, though narrow Champions League defeats to Real Madrid and Club Brugge have complicated their European campaign.

United, meanwhile, are navigating their first Champions League season under Ratcliffe’s ownership, having recorded one win and one defeat in the group stage so far.