Sir Jim Ratcliffe net worth compared to current Premier League owners

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is now the front-runner to become the next Manchester United owner following Sheikh Jassim’s withdrawal from the takeover process.

Reports emerged yesterday that the Qatari prince had grown frustrated with the Glazers after nine months of negotiations. While July’s £5billion bid was thought to be the final offer, it has been claimed Jassim upped that figure by £500million in recent weeks.

But the Glazers were ultimately unwilling to concede 100 per cent of the club - paving the way for Ratcliffe to emerge as the favourite. Like Jassim, the British billionaire entered the running once the Glazers announced they were “exploring strategic alternatives” last November.

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Ratcliffe has proposed to buy 25 per cent of United, with the expectation that a complete purchase can take place in the coming years. The Glazers are also content to give the Ineos tycoon full sporting control at Old Trafford.

But how much is Ratcliffe worth? In a league dominated by overseas investment, does the British billionaire have the financial muscle to take United back to the top?

According to the recent Sunday Times Rich List published earlier this year, Ratcliffe’s assets total a staggering £29.3bn - making him Britain’s second richest man. Indian-born Gopichand Hinduja placed first with a mouth-watering £35bn.

Compared to the rest of the Premier League, that would also rank Ratcliffe in second place. Newcastle United’s Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia lead the charge with £538bn in assets.

Interestingly, Ratcliffe has deeper pockets than Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour (£17.3bn) although, as an