Would Sir Jim Ratcliffe coming into the Premier League pose problems for Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham?
His task of ending a six-year Man United trophy drought is one that requires a structural change in all levels of the club, whether that be in the boardroom or on the pitch with the playing squad. However, he is up to the challenge ahead as he was the latest to throw his hat in the ring alongside Michael Knighton, the New York Investment company and others as all have learned that the Glazer Family are up for selling a minority stake initially at the very least.
There are even rumours they could cash in fully as fan unrest grows at Old Trafford following what looks to be a frustrating transfer window for Erik ten Hag in his first summer in charge. As quoted by The Times, a spokesman for the Ineos owner confirmed that Ratcliffe would be open to beginning talks with the United owners. The spokesman said: "If the club is for sale, Jim is definitely a potential buyer. If something like this was possible, we would be interested in talking with a view to long-term ownership. "This is not about the money that has been spent or not spent. Jim is looking at what can be done now and, knowing how important the club is to the city, it feels like the time is right for a reset." Will it be second time lucky for the British Billionaire who has a net worth of around £6.3billion?
READ MORE: Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea pledge amid Man Utd takeover talk
His inability to enter proceedings early with the Chelsea takeover played against his 'British' bid which bypassed the Raine Group process and therefore wasn't really considered by the higher-ups in West London who used the New York Investment bank to conduct proceedings. There were always questions surrounding his support for Man United and why the Ineos owner didn't go for the Red Devils earlier this year but he didn't get the indications back then that they were for sale. Fast forward all these months and that perception has now changed.
United are currently refusing to comment or give their thoughts on this proposed bid/takeover. The only thing unknown is whether or not the OGC Nice owner will be given full control by the Glazers or whether it will be the more likely 25% stake with a view to full ownership in the long-term future.
That will be revealed in due course but in the meantime, should the London trio and other Premier League clubs be worried by Ratcliffe's proposed takeover?
The simple answer, yes. His passion for football and his support of his boyhood club Man United would present a massive change to the Glazer family who controlled the Red Devils as more of a business. Ratcliffe would present a Todd Boehly-esque problem in terms of having a hunger to be the best. Boehly is on course for a mega first summer window at Chelsea with the excessive spending and backing provided to manager Thomas Tuchel.
Ratcliffe would likely do the same with Erik ten Hag and fully back his plans by providing him with his plan A options instead of the panic buy B,C D and E options which are currently being served his way by Richard Arnold, John Murtough and Co with just more than two and a bit weeks to go.
And make no illusion about it, the former wannabe Roman Abramovich's successor has the money to compete with the elite. As per Sky Sports, his £10.8billion wealth is the fourth richest in the Premier League, behind Newcastle's Saudi PIF (£320bn), Man City's UAE ownership (£22.9bn) and the Blues' new Boehly-Clearlake axis (£10.9bn).
Directly below the 69-year-old lies the Kroenke family at Arsenal (£6.3bn) and further down the list is Tottenham's Joe Lewis and ENIC (£4.285bn).
Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham fans- do you feel threatened by the potential Sir Jim Ratcliffe Man United takeover? Leave your thoughts In the comments section below!
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