After failing to get his hands on Chelsea earlier this year or to persuade Manchester United's owners to sell up, it was six words uttered by Sir Jim Ratcliffe in October that made clear his growing desire to own and operate a Premier League club.
Britain’s wealthiest man, owner of chemicals company INEOS and who has dipped his toe into football club ownership with French side Nice, spoke at a Financial Times event in October and didn’t so much drop a hint as put his cards firmly in the centre of table: If there’s a deal to be had among the Premier League elite, he wants in.
Ratcliffe had appeared keen on purchasing Chelsea earlier this year when Roman Abramovich was forced to sell up, but only elected to submit a bid after an initial deadline had passed. Ultimately, despite a late offer potentially worth £4.25bn, the consortium led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital were given the nod and took charge at Stamford Bridge instead.
