Ratcliffe's first four Man Utd signings revealed as billionaire seeks 'immediate' control of transfers

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s first four Manchester United signings were reportedly revealed.

The Ineos owner is the favourite to take control of United after it emerged his bid put a higher value on the Old Trafford club than Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim.

While Sheikh Jassim has reportedly offered a world record £5billion to buy 100 per cent of the club, Ratcliffe is thought to only want the Glazer's 69 per cent controlling stake.

It also emerged last week that the British billionaire is also prepared to reduce that figure to allow co-chairman Joel and Avram Glazer to retain a minority stake.

And The Telegraph have since claimed Ineos’ demand for a majority stake in United includes a request for immediate control of transfers from the moment a potential deal is agreed.

While a request for control of transfers is unlikely to be accepted before the Glazers have finalised their sale, both Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim are understood to want influence as soon as an offer is accepted.

Ratcliffe’s first four signings?

According to a Football Transfers article from March, Ratcliffe has identified four players to sign at United should he complete his takeover.

The first ambition is allegedly to get Marcus Rashford to agree to a new deal, with the striker having enjoyed his best-ever scoring season, netting 28 goals and claiming eight assists in 46 games.

The forward enters the last year of his contract this summer and has attracted interest from Paris Saint-Germain in the past.

Elsewhere, Ratcliffe wants to sign a striker with Victor Osimhen reportedly being targeted. The Napoli forward could cost up to £120million however, which is said to be half of the club’s budget.

United have also been linked to a deal for Harry Kane in recent weeks, though Tottenham are reportedly prepared to let the England captain's contract run into its final year in the hope he will sign new terms in north London.

As for defensive recruits, Monaco defender Axel Disasi will allegedly be looked at over a possible move.

Finally, the publication claims a new midfielder will be brought in under Ratcliffe, with Frenkie de Jong and Declan Rice being considered.

Topics: Football, Transfers, Manchester United, Patrice Evra, Victor Osimhen, Frenkie De Jong, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.