Now official: Lausanne boss wants to buy ManUtd

Most expensive takeover ever?

Lausanne boss wants to buy Manchester United

Jim Ratcliffe has a crush on Manchester United. A spokesman for his company Ineos confirms that the purchase process has started. The costs: a staggering CHF 5.6 billion.

Published: 14 minutes ago

1/4

Jim Ratcliffe, boss of the chemical company Ineos, has now officially announced that he wants to buy Manchester United.

Will there soon be a direct line between the Super League and Manchester United? Lausanne owner Jim Ratcliffe is now officially interested in the English record champions.

Ratcliffe is the CEO of the chemical company Ineos, is considered the richest man in Great Britain (over 15 billion euros) – and a ManUtd fan. That’s why there were rumors about his interest in November. An Ineos spokesman has now confirmed to the Times: “We have formally engaged in the process.”

Of course, the club is not to be had for nothing. The Glazer family, currently still owners of Manchester United, is apparently demanding 5 billion pounds (equivalent to CHF 5.6 billion).

Ratcliffe also wanted to buy Chelsea

That’s a nice bar more than Chelsea cost last summer. At that time it was 4.25 billion (4.8 billion CHF) that the American Todd Boehly and a consortium shelled out. record so far. Ratcliffe also got involved with the Chelsea deal shortly before completion with an offer but fell through.

Ineos took over FC Lausanne-Sport in 2017. And the chemical giant is also sporty in other ways. In football, the company owns OGC Nice in addition to Lausanne. It holds shares in the Mercedes Formula 1 racing team. The Ineos Grenadiers cycling team is also part of the sports portfolio. In addition, Ineos competes for the America’s Cup in sailing and is behind the New Zealand teams in rugby. (sme)