Man Utd takeover: Sir Jim Ratcliffe ‘exploring different club’ as Sheikh Jassim recieve major boost in Man United bid; United ‘verbally agree’ Onana deal

Man Utd takeover: Sir Jim Ratcliffe ‘exploring different club’ as Sheikh Jassim recieve major boost in Man United bid; United ‘verbally agree’ Onana deal

Manchester United takeover: Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to own the club but is struggling to win his battle with Sheikh Jassim.

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire thinks Sir Jim Ratcliffe is eyeing Barcelona as the INEOS chief looks to acquire Manchester United.

The Brit is hopeful of fending off competition from Sheikh Jassim to seize power at Old Trafford. However, with the Glazers yet to indicate their preferred bidder, it’s unclear what will happen.

Ratcliffe is eager to acquire United, having missed out on purchasing Chelsea to Todd Boehly last year.

And having recently revealed he’d been interested in purchasing Barcelona, football finance expert Maguire thinks it’s feasible the 70-year-old will revive interest.

However, Maguire also thinks it will be tricky for Ratcliffe to own Barcelona due to their current structure.

“Sir Jim Ratcliffe is looking for some sort of legacy in terms of investing in the football industry,” he told Football Insider.

“The French football market really isn’t big enough to make a global splash and therefore he has to look for an elite club to make his mark.

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Man Utd takeover Ratcliffe Sheikh Jassim

“Barcelona would be an alternative to Man United if he loses the current takeover bid.

“However, I think it would be very difficult to get past the current Socios model, which is membership driven.

“Secondly, from the perspective of the Catalan fans who own Barcelona, they could have doubts about an overseas owner taking charge.

“While it is unlikely, it is no doubt something he is exploring and given the financial challenges that Barcelona face, you can never say never.”

Ratcliffe revealed recently that he’d been eyeing Barcelona, saying: “They were planning to sell off the club’s television rights.

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“We told them, ‘Don’t do it – we’ll put in two or three billion, renovate the Nou Camp and have 50 per cent ownership – and sign a deed to say we’d never sell.

“Our interest was in football alone, not making money. I think it would have worked.

“We talked about it but, in the end, they didn’t think they could go to the fans with it. The road they are going down is a disaster.

“They have now sold a chunk of the TV rights, and merchandising rights, for the next 25 years.

“They’ve sold them to American hedge funds. So they’ve got this big slug of cash, which they can now…waste.”

And Ratcliffe also revealed he was still hoping to own United, despite Sheikh Jassim appearing to be the frontrunner in the race to buy the club.

“We still very much would like to do it. There is still a process, we are in the process,” he said.

“We have a good offer. We have met

United ‘verbally agree’ Onana deal
Manchester United have moved a step closer to sealing a move for Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana.

The Red Devils have installed the goalkeeper as their number one target to replace David de Gea. As per reports in Italy, a verbal agreement has been found with Inter on a £47m deal.

Fresh talks are expected to take place over the next few days to finalise a move