Man Utd free to spend ‘several hundred million’ in transfer window as Sir Jim Ratcliffe investment exploits loophole

SIR JIM RATCLIFFE’S Manchester United takeover can spark a summer transfer spree of “several hundred million” – due to Financial Play rules.

The Ineos chief’s 25 per cent takeover would free United for what could be the Premier League’s biggest-ever splash-out in a single window.

Ratcliffe‘s investment should be ratified by football chiefs within four to six weeks.

And The Times suggest that will mean an end to the struggles United faced when missing out on big names like Harry Kane due to spending regulations.

Clubs cannot lose more than £15million a year over a three-year period due to the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.

But owners are allowed to pump money in.

And that’s where Ratcliffe is expected to make a big difference.

United‘s majority stakeholders the Glazers have only taken money out.

But Ratcliffe has promised to plough funds in.

On top of his 25 per cent investment, Britain’s richest man will gain full control of United’s football operations.

He has also promised to put in a further £135m in the next year and £100m in the 12 months after that.

That would raise his overall stake in the Red Devils to 29 per cent and free up a major increase in transfer budget.

The beige world of influencers has suddenly got a lot more gaudy