SIR JIM RATCLIFFE and his INEOS group face a race against the clock to get control of Manchester United before the summer transfer window opens.
And that could scupper a £100million move for Tottenham star Harry Kane — the striker the club so desperately needs.
With less than three weeks to go before June 1, Britain’s richest man is still awaiting confirmation he has the green light to take charge at Old Trafford.
Sun Sport revealed yesterday how brothers Joel and Avram Glazer, co-chairmen at the club, have indicated that Ineos’ offer for a stake is their preferred choice rather than a full sale to Qatari Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani.
But until the decision is confirmed and relayed to all parties by the Glazer’s chosen deal-makers, the US-based Raine Group, lawyers cannot proceed with the next stage.
Full due diligence could take a month or more, meaning Ineos would not be able to start making financial decisions until well into June.
And that will impact on United boss Erik ten Haag and his efforts to reshape the squad for next term.
READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS
Throughout the process which began in November, bidders have made it clear that they wanted any change in ownership to be fully completed before the end of this month.
That would allow the new owners to begin work on player acquisition and sales from the start of the summer window, rather than having to play catch-up with rivals.
Ineos will also have to address the critical issues of the future of the antiquated Old Trafford and the club’s Carrington training base, with both requiring substantial long-term investment.
But United fans are more concerned about the immediate team rebuilding needs.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
And they were brought into stark relief as the squad’s performances have dipped appreciably in recent weeks and which means they are locked in a battle with Newcastle and Liverpool for one of the two remaining Champions League slots.
Getting back into Europe’s elite next season is imperative if United are to have any chance of earning a passage to the inaugural expanded Fifa Club World Cup – worth up to £50m – in 2025.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
