Man Utd are making huge changes ahead of Sir Jim Ratcliffe coming into the club | Football Digest
Erik ten Hag’s hopes of activity in the January transfer window look bleak, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS unlikely to enter power at Manchester United this year. The Glazer family are likely among the parties disappointed by the latest delay in their long-winded takeover process, which they announced a year ago today.
In November 2022, the Glazers announced a strategic review in search of alternative investment through a minority partnership or full sale.
In February this year, Sir Jim and Qatari royal Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani emerged as the two frontrunners.
Last month, Sheikh Jassim withdrew his £5billion bid for 100 per cent of the club after refusing to meet the Glazers’ over-inflated valuation.
It left Sir Jim as the reported preferred bidder, with a £1.4bn deal for a 25 per cent stake, which will include total sporting control, now imminent.
An official announcement confirming his agreement was widely expected this week, between Sir Bobby Charlton’s emotional funeral and the return of club football.
However, fresh reports claim United supporters may be left waiting a little longer for concrete news of Sir Jim’s arrival.
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According to the Telegraph, Sir Jim had initially hoped to have sealed a deal by now after it became clear he had fended off competition from Sheikh Jassim.
But it’s claimed there are no guarantees he will conclude an agreement before Thanksgiving starts on Thursday in the United States.
Therefore, figures close to the process have suggested an official announcement could be delayed until next week at the earliest.
Sky News reported the Glazers hoped a deal would be in place before the Thanksgiving festivities commenced in their homeland.
And Ten Hag may also be left disappointed, given a further delay would all but rule out Sir Jim and INEOS’ influence in January.
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The Telegraph add that the Premier League will need six to eight weeks to ratify the £1.4bn transaction before the 71-year-old can get started at Old Trafford.
If that process started next week, the first transfer window featuring Sir Jim and INEOS’ influence would likely be next summer rather than winter.
Ten Hag is expected to be cash-strapped at the midway stage in a troublesome season amid Financial Fair Play restrictions, ramped up by his £400m expenditure in 18 months.
The Dutchman will be left relying on player sales to sanction incoming business. Donny van de Beek and Jadon Sancho represent his best opportunities to boost his kitty.
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