Sir Jim Ratcliffe proposal for a majority stake in Manchester United is only a matter of days, reports claims.
In a gripping saga that has kept fans on the edge of their seats, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the head of INEOS has continued his quest to acquire Manchester United despite a last-ditch effort from Qatari billionaire Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Reports suggest the possibility of a majority stake in ownership could be within his grasp, with insiders claiming a deal could be inked in a matter of days.
The uncertainty which has been in the media since November when the Glazer family – who have held the reins since 2005, announced their willingness to entertain offers for the club they’ve nurtured for years.
Sheikh Jassim’s bid aims for a complete takeover of the club, while Ratcliffe has his eyes set on the Glazer’s majority stake leaving them with a temporary minority position. Ratcliffe, known for his tenacity, has tabled an impressive £5 billion offer though the Glazer family values the club at £6 billion.
While Sheikh Jassim might have outbid Ratcliffe, he hasn’t quite met the Glazers’ valuation.
BIDS HAVE MAE FROM INEOS
“We can confirm that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS have submitted a bid for majority ownership of Manchester United Football Club,” a statement read announcing their bid in February said.
“We would see our role as the long-term custodians of Manchester United on behalf of the fans and the wider community. We are ambitious and highly competitive and would want to invest in Manchester United to make them the number one club in the world once again.”
“We also recognise that football governance in this country is at a crossroads. We would want to help lead this next chapter, deepening the culture of English football by making the club a beacon for a modern, progressive, fan-centred approach to ownership. We want a Manchester United anchored on its proud history and roots in the North-West of England, putting the Manchester back into Manchester United and clearly focusing on winning the Champions League.”
