Si Jim Ratcliffe-Man United bid to be confirmed next week – sources

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's £1.25 billion ($1.57 billion) investment in Manchester United will be confirmed next week and could be finalized as early as Monday, a source close to the sale process told ESPN.

Ratcliffe, Britain's second-richest person with a net worth estimated at £29.6 billion by the Sunday Times Rich List 2023, negotiated a deal to acquire 25% of United from the Glazer family , the American owners of the Premier League club.

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While the Glazer siblings, Bryan, Edward, Kevin and Darcie – all listed as directors of United – are expected to significantly reduce their stake as part of the sale, Old Trafford co-chairmen Avram and Joel Glazer will retain their stake and the club will continue. be majority owned by the Glazers.

But Ratcliffe, the founder of chemical company Ineos, will take control of the club's football operations as part of the deal to revive United, historically the Premier League's most successful club, and help the team to fight for a first championship title. since 2013.

ESPN reported earlier this season that Ratcliffe's team had already undertaken an audit of United's recent recruitment in a bid to prevent the club from wasting huge sums of money on future signings following a number of unsuccessful acquisitions under the Glazer regime.

But despite agreeing to buy a 25% stake two months ago, final negotiations with the Glazers progressed slowly and Richard Arnold stepped down as United CEO in the process.

A source told ESPN that Ratcliffe's ownership with French club Nice, who currently sit second in Ligue 1, has led to delays due to UEFA rules prohibiting two teams with the same owners or leaders to participate in the same competition – a problem. which would arise next season in the Champions League or the Europa League.

This complication will only require resolution if United and Nice qualify for the same UEFA competition. A source therefore said this would not prevent the purchase of the stake in United next week.