Sir Jim Ratcliffe is on track to complete the initial phase of his takeover of Manchester United in the coming weeks, with the deal expected to be finalized before the start of the New Year, according to sources cited by Football Insider.
The British billionaire has emerged as the leading candidate to reach an agreement with the Glazer family after Sheikh Jassim withdrew from the process earlier this month.
Ratcliffe’s latest proposal involves acquiring an initial 25 percent stake in the club for approximately £1.4 billion. This offer, as previously disclosed by Football Insider, paves the way for him to assume majority control at Old Trafford by 2026 while allowing members of the Glazer family to retain their voting power within the club.
The board of Manchester United is currently in the process of finalizing the specific details of the agreement before the formal announcement of Ratcliffe’s investment. It is understood that the 71-year-old should have no issues passing the Premier League’s Owners’ and Directors’ Test, and there are no concerns from the league regarding the source of funding through INEOS.
Once the final agreement details are settled between both parties, the takeover process is expected to progress rapidly, with Ratcliffe anticipated to join United’s board by the end of the year.
The extent of Ratcliffe’s decision-making authority during the initial months at the club remains uncertain. However, INEOS, his organization, has expressed their intentions to eventually enhance and revamp Old Trafford once they assume full control. According to reports from The Times, Ratcliffe aspires to increase the stadium’s capacity to 90,000.