BREAKING NEWS: coming live from Italian renowned sport journalist ‘Finally!’ – Romano reveals date for Ratcliffe’s Man Utd takeover. The 71-year-old will acquire a 25 per cent stake and, crucially, full control of the club’s sporting operations.
The completion of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Manchester United investment is scheduled for next week, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Now that the story has lasted a full year, its conclusion is imminent. It has long been known that Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the billionaire INEOS, has defeated Sheikh Jassim in the competition to become the Red Devils’ steward. Ratcliffe’s satisfaction with a minority investment rather than a complete buy-out stacked the deck in his favour because the Glazers, the brand’s current owners, aren’t quite ready to give up control just yet.
The 71-year-old will receive a 25% ownership share and, most importantly, total command over the team’s athletic activities. CEO Richard Arnold has already resigned as a result of this, and it is anticipated that other high-ranking officials will do the same, most notably John Murtough, the sporting director. Ratcliffe’s people will take their place.
But in the weeks since the announcement of Ratcliffe’s victory over Sheikh Jassim, not much has happened, which has led to concerns that the upcoming investment will arrive too late to have an impact during the January transfer window. Fabrizio Romano claims that although the deal’s ratification was recently postponed once more, it will ultimately conclude next week.
What was said by Romano?
The transfer expert said, “Finally, we are almost there with all the formal steps of the Man Utd sale,” on his YouTube channel. Although it is clearly a 25% minority stake, it has sporting control, so it will play a significant role in the upcoming weeks as Man Utd’s new addition.”
“It is hoped by the solicitors and those close to INEOS Group and Sir Jim Ratcliffe that it will be signed and official by next week. Therefore, everything ought to be finalised, declared, and official before Christmas. That is the thought and that is the emotion.
“We’ll have to wait and see what transpires over the next few days, but one thing is certain: we are getting close. There will be a number of changes at Man Utd, starting with the appointment of a new CEO (Jean-Claude Blanc is very close to securing the role) and a new director of football.”
