Sir Jim Ratcliffe's arrival at Manchester United will boost the club's budget during the January transfer window, according to football finance expert Kieran Maguire.
The 71-year-old is set to pay around £1.3m to purchase 25% of Man United, with an announcement expected to arrive before the end of the November international break.
Ratcliffe is set to take over the football department at Old Trafford, and it was confirmed on Wednesday that the club's CEO Richard Arnold had stepped down from his role.
Patrick Stewart has moved into the position while the club search for a permanent replacement, with Ratcliffe expected to make changes in a number of key areas of the club.
Ratcliffe is coming in as a minority shareholder, but it is understood that the British billionaire has plans to complete a staggered takeover in the future.
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A recent report claimed that Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag has been told that there will be money to spend during the January transfer window, with a new forward believed to be a priority.
Porto's Mehdi Taremi, Juventus' Federico Chiesa and Lecce's Nikola Krstovic are among the players to be linked with moves to Old Trafford at the start of 2024.
Providing that Ratcliffe's deal is confirmed ahead of the January transfer window, a football finance expert has explained how his arrival will boost the team's mid-season budget.
"I think the financial basis is that we've got a transfer window commencing on January 1 and wheels are already in motion at most clubs. You've identified targets," Maguire told the Stretford Paddock.
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"I think it's fairly common knowledge that Manchester United were at the upper end of their Financial Fair Play [FFP] limit as far as the most recent window was concerned. And part of the reason for that is that under the rules, you're only allowed to lose £15m in the Premier League over three years.
"But the owner can put in a further £90m. Now, as I think all Manchester United fans are aware, the Glazer family have chosen to not invest in terms of new shares, putting in money themselves into the club.
"This means that Manchester United is at a disadvantage compared to those clubs that can. As part of this new arrangement with Jim Ratcliffe, he will be buying partly shares from existing shareholders, but partly investing fresh funds into Manchester United.
"Having that deal completed by December 31 would increase the budget in January."
Ratcliffe is also allegedly willing to let experienced midfielder Casemiro leave the club in January in order to raise funds to reinvest in the squad.
Matt Law
