Sir Jim Ratcliffe has wasted no time in stating his position on Manchester United's sale, which looks set to be one of the biggest stories in the coming months.
Ratcliffe missed out on purchasing Chelsea last year, but he is determined to get his company, INEOS, a seat at the Premier League table.
The club’s current owners, the Glazer family, announced their intention to “explore strategic alternatives” – including the option of a sale – back in November, and while reports suggest bidders from multiple sources are expected, Ratcliffe’s business INEOS is the first to publicly state their position.
Ratcliffe is one of Britain’s wealthiest individuals, and his INEOS stable already includes a number of sporting teams, including the Ineos Grenadiers cycling team and Ligue 1 side Nice.
“We have formally put ourselves into the process,” read a statement from Ratcliffe’s spokesperson, as per The Times.
Formal bids are expected to begin coming in next month, with the Glazers reportedly seeking up to £5 billion for the club’s sale.
It would not be Ratcliffe’s first attempt to acquire a Premier League team, having been interested in Chelsea last year. The English billionaire is certainly disappointed by that experience – where he was deemed to have entered the run-in a little too late.
Manchester United have had their strongest season for some time on the field, with the club still in contention for the Premier League, the Europa League, the EFL Cup and the FA Cup. This – in theory, could increase the club’s value and aesthetics in the eyes of potential buyers.
