On Christmas Eve, Manchester United disclosed an agreement with British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe to acquire a 25% stake in the club, pending Premier League approval.
Ratcliffe attended the 2-2 draw between Manchester United and Tottenham at Old Trafford, marking his first appearance since the announcement. Addressing reporters during a press conference, Ratcliffe anticipated the deal’s finalization by early February, emphasizing that he couldn’t answer questions at this significant juncture.
INEOS’s founder is reportedly keen on appointing a new sporting director and overhauling the recruitment department, leading to expectations that Ratcliffe will assume footballing operations at Old Trafford. Reports from the Spanish outlet Nacional suggest Ratcliffe’s interest in bringing Real Madrid’s Vinicius to Manchester United, with a rumored €200 million (£172 million) offer in preparation, potentially making it the second-most expensive signing in football history.
Furthermore, the speculated funds from this transaction could reportedly enable the pursuit of Kylian Mbappe and other targets like Alphonso Davies. Fabrizio Romano, a prominent transfer specialist, provided insights on Real Madrid’s interest in Davies during the summer transfer window.
While no immediate action is expected in January, Real Madrid is internally discussing and planning efforts to acquire Davies, who remains a key target for the summer. Bayern Munich’s potential contract negotiations with Davies could influence the outcome of this transfer saga. The situation is evolving, and Real Madrid sees Davies as a significant target for the upcoming transfer window.
