By Peter McLaren-Kennedy • Updated: 18 Feb 2023 • 15:46
Manchester United - Image Richard Juliart / Shuitterstock.com
A statement issued by the 70-year-old through his company Ineos said that he is determined to make Man U the number 1 club in the world.
The statement said: “We can confirm that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS have submitted a bid for majority ownership of Manchester United Football Club.
“We would see our role as 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 in 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 in 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.”
Sir Ratcliffe is thought to be the fan’s favourite, however, a total buyout by the Qataris may prove more interesting to the current owners than the acquisition of a majority bid. But with no one else having confirmed whether they too submitted a bid there may still be all to play for.
According to sports news site Team Talk on Saturday, February 18, the sheikh has indicated he will provide players for the club at no charge, but that it wouldn´t involve players from Paris St Germain a club he already owns.
It is understood that the sheikh is keen to bring Jude Bellingham and Victor Osimhen to the club if he is successful, which will cost around £100m each. But the sheikh whose family are said to be worth around £280bn has deep pockets and that shouldn´t prove an obstacle.
Osmishen is said to be the club´s first choice for a new striker having scored 47 times in 85 outings for Italian side Napoli. Whether they can get him to consider a move or Napoli to sell remains to be seen.
But the acquisition of the club is by no means a foregone conclusion with Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the UK´s second wealthiest man is known to have also submitted a bid. The terms of that bid have not been disclosed.
Ratcliffe is a lifelong supporter of the club and that would make him a favourite with fans, however, the deep pockets of the Qataris could also be welcomed by those who long for the past success of the club.
But many are opposed to the bid by the Qataris even though it will be debt free, with the reputation of Qatar and its record on human rights a problem for many.
It´s now a case of waiting to see what the current owners the Glazer family think is in their best interests, and that could be the deciding factor in who ultimately gets to become the new owners.
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Originally from South Africa, Peter is based on the Costa Blanca and is a web reporter for the Euro Weekly News covering international and Spanish national news. Got a news story you want to share? Then get in touch at editorial@euroweeklynews.com.
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