Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s involvement in sport is continuing to grow year after year, with Britain’s richest man constantly looking for more opportunities to invest in sport.
The 70-year-old billionaire has gained a reputation for being quite a harsh owner, having sacked several managers such as the legendary Patrick Vieira during his time owning French Ligue 1 side Nice.
Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton partnered Ratcliffe last summer as the Brit assembled a consortium to take over Chelsea FC, however the team were eventually purchased by the American Todd Boehly.
With the situation with Manchester United’s current owners turning toxic, Ratcliffe has now announced through his chemical company Ineos that he has begun the process of creating a bid to take over the Red Devils.
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“We have formally put ourselves into the process,” said an Ineos spokesperson.
Lewis Hamilton said a couple of weeks ago that even though he was involved in the Chelsea bid last year, Ratcliffe has not yet picked up the phone and asked him to be involved in this bid.
The 38-year-old has explained that he would like to partner with Ratcliffe again in the future, as he looks to increase the amount of black ownership in sport.
“I hope in the future to do something with Jim and build with him. I don’t know when that will be or what that will be,” said Hamilton.
“But I do want to get more and more involved in team because I really do believe in black ownership and black equity because there is a real lack of that in sport.”
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Now, according to the Press Association, Hamilton has decided that he will not be involved in the potential purchase of Manchester United, as he is not currently interested in the project.
It is yet unclear whether the Glazer family would be willing to sell Manchester United to Ratcliffe, however what is now clear is that the Brit will certainly try to make it happen.
With the team currently involved in a title race in the Premier League, a takeover bid will most likely have to wait until the summer.