SIR JIM RATCLIFFE is considering making an offer to buy a minority stake in Manchester United.
The British billionaire has been in the running with Sheikh Jassim to buy a controlling share of the club from the Glazer family.
PASir Jim Ratcliffe could try to acquire a small stake in Man Utd[/caption]
PAIt would mean the Glazers stay as controlling owners for now[/caption]
Despite the current owners putting United on the market last November, no deal has been struck and negotiations with both are at a stalemate.
It has been reported that there are disagreements between shareholders about the club’s £6bn valuation, as well as potential legal issues should a full takeover benefit one party more than another.
Ratcliffe made a proposal to buy Man Utd for around £5bn earlier this year, as did Sheikh Jassim, but the offers did not satisfy club chiefs.
Therefore, the 70-year-old Ineos CEO is set to ditch his attempt to become the majority owner and instead try to purchase a smaller stake.
Various sources claim he could buy 25 per cent of Man Utd for a figure of around £1.5bn.
The bid would see Ratcliffe take an equal amount of A and B shares.
The B shares are held by the Glazers, while A shares are those publicly traded.
If Ratcliffe’s proposal is accepted, it means the American owners will remain in control of the club.
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This will be unpopular with many fans and ex-players who have loudly protested the Glazers‘ presence.
However, it could raise extra capital for transfers or for improvements to be made to a decaying Old Trafford.
The move could also help with debt after it hit £1bn and the club’s share price, which plummeted due to the takeover stalemate.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Jassim has not changed his aim of becoming Man Utd’s majority owner.
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