Sir Jim Ratcliffe 'targeting bargain transfer for Ross Barkley' as Casemiro decision made

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is targeting the signing of Luton's Ross Barkley, it has been claimed.

Ratcliffe took control of football matters at Old Trafford after his Ineos group completed the 27.7 per cent purchase of United on Tuesday.

The petrochemicals billionaire has since promised to restore the club’s greatness within three years and knock Manchester City and Liverpool "off their perch".

The Sun has claimed that Ratcliffe is targeting a move for Luton’s Barkley, who the 71-year-old signed for Ligue 1 side Nice in 2022.

The former England international has been in electric form for Luton, claiming three goals and three assists in his 20 Premier League appearances so far.

The 30-year-old shot to fame with Everton as a teenager before securing an ill-fated move to Chelsea.

Having subsequently spent several years in the footballing wilderness, however, Barkley’s influential performances for the Hatters have seen him tipped by many for an England recall.

The Sun claims Barkley could leave Luton should they be relegated, and that while his contract there is “complex”, there may be a way for United to sign him for a low fee.

The 33-cap England player could be signed as a replacement for Casemiro, who Ratcliffe is allegedly open to selling in the summer. Moreover, Sofyan Amrabat will also allegedly not be kept when his loan from Fiorentina expires at the end of the season.

United are licking their wounds after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Fulham at Old Trafford on Sunday, with Alex Iwobi having netted a 97th-minute winner.

While it was United’s first Premier League defeat of 2024, it sees Erik ten Hag’s men languishing some eight points adrift of Aston Villa in fourth place.

Ratcliffe has taken control of footballing matters at Old Trafford (Getty)

Speaking on United’s Premier League struggles on Tuesday, Ratcliffe said via Sky Sports: "It's been a complete misery really in the last 11 years and it's just frustrating if you're a supporter during that period of time.

"That's football isn't it? It has its ups and its downs. I remember pre-Ferguson it wasn't great for quite some time - for a more extended period of time actually, for about 25 years.

"Eleven years is a long period of time, isn't it? Fundamentally you want to see your club being where it should be.

"It's one of the biggest clubs in the world. It should be playing the best football in the world, it hasn't been doing that for 10 or 11 years. So it's certainly related to the decision [to invest]."