Manchester United prospective buyer Sir Jim Ratcliffe is now Britain's second richest person, according to the Sunday Times Rich List.
Ratcliffe is currently in talks to buy United from the Glazers and he's said to be worth an estimated £29.688billion, which makes him the second richest person in the UK behind the Hinduja family, with a wealth of £35bn. In last year's rich list, Ratcliffe was estimated to be worth £6.05bn.
The 70-year-old, who was born in Failsworth and supports United, was named the UK's wealthiest person in 2018.
ALSO READ: Ten Hag will have to get creative with his XI for FA Cup final
Robert Watts, the compiler of the Sunday Times Rich List, said: “This year we have new information about the full scale of INEOS’ profits and that has made us confident that INEOS is now worth at least £40bn. We have also learned more about the personal assets that Jim has accumulated over the past 25 years.”
Ratcliffe is the chief executive of the chemical giant INEOS and he's currently vying to be named as the preferred bidder for a takeover at Old Trafford, competing against Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al Thani for that status.
Some fans have raised concerns that Ratcliffe would not be able to fund the kind of rebuild that many believe is needed at United, with a new or regenerated stadium, significant investment in the training ground, and investment in new players all required, but Ratcliffe's newfound wealth should ease some of those fears.
Ratcliffe made his final bid for United in late April and was thought to be the frontrunner to buy the club, but Sheikh Jassim submitted an eleventh-hour bid thought to be around £5.5billion earlier this week, which is now being considered.
Although Ratcliffe’s initial proposal was for a majority stake of the 69 per cent shareholdings, the makeup of his latest bid has not been disclosed and it's thought Joel and Avram Glazer could still be involved in some capacity, should he be successful.
Sheikh Jassim wants to buy 100 per cent of the club and as before, his most recent offer includes a promise to clear all of the club's debt - which stands at around £1bn - and includes a separate fund directed solely for United and the surrounding community,
The Raine Group is overseeing the takeover process on behalf of the Glazers.
READ MORE:
