Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly agreed a deal to buy a 25 per cent stake in Manchester United with the Glazers family remaining in charge, according to reports.
Ratcliffe, 70, had initially looked to take over at United but has adjusted his bid to acquire 25 per cent after talks stalled regarding a full sale.
Qatari billionaire Sheikh Jassim was also credited with an interest in acquiring the Red Devils, but has since withdrew from the race after failing to meet the Glazers' valuation of the club.
According to the Daily Mail, boyhood United fan Ratcliffe is set to part ways with around £1.5billion to complete the deal, which is viewed as the first step into a gradual takeover. He will take control of football operations with the aim of taking the Glazers out of the firing line.
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The club is currently valued at £6bn by the current US owners, who announced they were looking to sell or seek further investment just under a year ago. Despite their interest in selling, the Glazers refused to part ways with the club for less than their valuation, with bids in the region of £5bn from Sheikh Jassim being rejected back in April.
United currently find themselves in tenth within the Premier League table, following a disappointing start to the 2023/24 campaign which been plagued by injuries and off-field issues.
Ratcliffe's arrival will mark a new era for the club, as they look to utilise his £30bn fortune to address the facilities at the club and shortcomings within the squad. The Oldham born billionaire had previously been linked with a move to takeover at rivals Chelsea back last year, but now takes his wealth to Old Trafford as he adds to his growing list of sporting investments which already includes Ligue 1 side Nice and the Mercedes Formula One team.
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Speaking to INEOS' YouTube channel in September, Ratcliffe commented on a potential takeover, where he said: "The Manchester United bid would have been unthinkable two or three years ago if we hadn’t had some of the experiences, quite a few of them some quite difficult experiences with Lausanne and Nice.
"You can’t really contemplate acquiring a brand like Manchester United and failing because the failure is just far too public and excruciating, failing in a deal like that."
Featured Image Credit: GettyTopics: Erik Ten Hag, Football, Manchester United, Premier League, Sheikh Jassim