Sir Jim Ratcliffe may well have his first signing at Manchester United already lined up. The British billionaire could help Erik ten Hag get a deal over the line for Jean-Clair Todibo, while he has also has the chance to upset Liverpool with the purchase of Khephren Thuram.
Ratcliffe is closing in on buying a 25 per cent stake in United. Qatari billionaire Sheikh Jassim pulled out of the running to buy the Red Devils on Saturday.
Sheikh Jassim’s offer of around £5billion was still on the table but fell short of the Glazers’ valuation of the club. Ratcliffe’s proposal was always going to see the Glazers stay in some capacity.
A 25 per cent purchase will continue to give the American family too much control in United supporters’ eyes. But Ratcliffe could immediately have a big say in football matters
United boss Ten Hag wanted to strengthen in the centre of defence in the summer but a restricted budget meant he was unable to do so. Todibo was linked with a move to Old Trafford and remains a target ahead of the January window.
And with Ratcliffe’s arrival, Ten Hag could land his man. Ratcliffe also owns Nice, the club Todibo has played for since 2021.
Ratcliffe is a United fan and he will know first-hand if he thinks Todibo can have a positive impact on the squad. Todibo, who had a two-year spell at Barcelona earlier in his career, made his senior debut for France last month.
United are still set to be restricted by Financial Fair Play limitations. But the fact Ratcliffe has stakes in both clubs means a deal could surely be struck.
Another Nice player United could target is midfielder Thuram. He also made his debut for France this year and was a target for Liverpool in the summer window.
Jurgen Klopp had to overhaul his midfield following five departures at the end of last season. He made four signings in that position but failed to get a deal over the line for Thuram.
Fabrizio Romano said on the Born and Red podcast that Liverpool viewed the player as too expensive, “both in terms of transfer fee and salary”. But they would surely not want to see Thuram end up at their bitter rivals.
United may upset Liverpool by going after Thuram and Ratcliffe could again help them complete his signing. One potential stumbling block is Nice have started the season strongly in Ligue 1.
They are currently second in the table and Ratcliffe may not want to disrupt them mid-season if they are still well-placed in January. They could be two signings United get pre-agreed ahead of the summer if that is the case.
