JAMES RATCLIFFE, A BRITISH BILLIONAIRE, ARRIVES BY PLANE TO DISCUSS PURCHASING MANCHESTER UNITED

As part of his attempt to purchase the English soccer team, Jim Ratcliffe visited Manchester United on Friday.

A few of his closest advisors and the billionaire owner of INEOS flew in for discussions with club executives at Old Trafford.

At the team’s Carrington training facility, Ratcliffe was welcomed by United Chief Executive Richard Arnold and had a brief meeting with manager Erik ten Hag.

During a press conference held in advance of Sunday’s FA Cup quarterfinal game with Fulham, Ten Hag stated, “I just met them and shook hands. We have a big game on Sunday, and that is all we are thinking about. Several club members are interacting with possible investors. At Old Trafford, Ratcliffe posed for pictures before driving to Carrington in a vehicle with darkened windows.

Before making a formal bid to the Glazer family, the existing owners, he is taking a closer look at United.

One of the wealthiest persons in Britain, Ratcliffe is attempting to acquire a majority stake in the 20-time English league champions. When bids were made via American merchant bank Raine last month, the potential sale is now moving into the next round, at which point his talks will take place.

The head of sport for INEOS, Dave Brailsford, was a member of Ratcliffe’s delegation.

On Thursday, officials from United met with Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani’s representatives. The son of a former Qatari prime minister and chairman of the Qatar Islamic Bank wants to purchase 100% of United and aims to make investments in the stadium and practice facility.

Ratcliffe has declared that he will approach ownership with a “fan-centered strategy” and that he is “focused on winning the Champions League.”

The Glazers’ decision to relinquish complete control of United is still up in the air while it evaluates “strategic alternatives.”

Since 2005, the American family that also owns the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has fought repeated attempts by supporters to evict them from their ownership of United.

Raine handled the $3 billion sale of Chelsea to Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital last year.

Up to $6 billion is thought to be possible for United.