The deal for Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a 25% stake in Manchester United has been officially ratified by the Premier League, and the INEOS chairman is wasting no time in advancing his transfer plans. Manchester United faces competition from Tottenham in the pursuit of Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, a target for the Red Devils in their youthful recruitment drive under incoming part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. The INEOS chairman, on the brink of becoming a 25% stakeholder in United, is awaiting approval from the FA this week. Ratcliffe’s £1.3 billion agreement with the Glazers grants him control over the Red Devils’ football operations and the chance to emphasize signing homegrown players. Branthwaite, who had a successful loan spell at PSV Eindhoven last season, is also drawing interest from Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Real Madrid.
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Ratcliffe’s six-man shortlist includes three promising young center-backs, such as Jean-Clair Todibo from INEOS-owned Nice, Lille’s 18-year-old Leny Yoro, and Benfica’s 20-year-old Antonio Silva. The focus extends to signing a Premier League-proven attacker, with Wolves’ Pedro Neto and Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise on the potential target list. Olise, with an active release clause of around £60 million this summer, appears to be a more concrete option for Ratcliffe and his team.
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