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‘Much better value’: Spokesman for Britain’s richest man shares Liverpool stance after Man United links

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A spokesman for Sir Jim Ratcliffe shared his stance on buying Liverpool after FSG put the club up for sale. He’s Britain’s richest man.

FSG welcome offers for Liverpool but it seems they won’t get one from Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Ratcliffe, who is Britain’s richest man, was immediately linked with interest.

And for good reason, too. Ratcliffe, through his company Ineos, attempted to purchase both Chelsea and Manchester United. The business is a fan of the latter, having been born in Greater Manchester.

Liverpool, though, won’t receive an offer. The Telegraph reached out for his stance on an offer and a spokesman quickly ruled it out.

Ineos currently own Nice in Ligue 1 and believe investment there makes far more sense for the company.

“Our position has developed since the summer and we are now focusing our efforts in Nice and raising our ambitions for the club to make them into a top-tier club in France to compete with PSG,” said a spokesman.

“This would represent much better value for our investment than buying one of the top-tier Premier League clubs.”

Sir Jim Ratcliffe won’t be buying Liverpool

Rule that one out, then. FSG won’t be short of offers, of course, but Ratcliffe was seen as potentially a best-case scenario by many. After all, he’s a football fan who knows UK football.

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Photo by BERTRAND GUAY/AFP via Getty Images

That’s something you’re unlikely to find with many offers. American and the Middle East represent by far the most obvious suiters, with few able to find the £4bn required to buy Liverpool.

Ratcliffe’s interest in Chelsea and United were likely motivated differently. Chelsea required little negotiation as the government forced a sale. United are the club he likely wants more than any other.

Liverpool, though, would be a difficult fight – and then he ends up owning United’s rivals. Focusing on Nice, who can easily become the no.2 club in France, feels like a more sensible move for most.