Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Rich Jones

Britain's richest man Jim Ratcliffe responds to question about Chelsea takeover

Britain's richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe has refused to rule out taking Chelsea having been quizzed on his reported interest.

The billionaire has just taken over cycling giants Team Sky in a stunning deal worth around £34million per year, transforming the outfit into Team INEOS from May 1.

Ratcliffe, who owns the petrochemical giant taking over the team's trade name, has also been linked with a stunning takeover of Chelsea in recent weeks.

He was reported to be preparing a bid using some of his £21billion fortune last month with Roman Abramovich considering selling the Blues.

"I'm not going to say no, but I don't know," Ratcliffe told BBC Sport when asked directly if he's interested in taking over Chelsea."

Jim Ratcliffe has been linked with a takeover of Chelsea (Manchester Evening News)

Who is Sir Jim Ratcliffe? Man behind 'Chelsea takeover bid' net worth and background

Ratcliffe, 66, admitted he is keen to increase his involvement in football.

He already owns Swiss club Lausanne-Sport but has ambitions of getting amongst the big boys - although he insists he is in no rush.

"I think we've dipped our toe into the water with football," Ratcliffe said.

Ratcliffe recently acquired Team Sky and owns Britain's Americas Cup sailing team (X01981)

Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger to miss rest of season with knee injury

"It's a very different sport. It's quite a complicated sport and a complicated world, and we've dipped our toe in the water.

"We're in the process of learning. We brought this club in Switzerland, and that's really been educational.

"We haven't got to where we've got to in our chemicals and business world by being impetuous and rash and stupid, obviously.

Ratcliffe could try and tempt Roman Abramovich to sell the Blues (Sunday Mirror)

Cesar Azpilicueta reacts after being barged into photographer by Romelu Lukaku

"We recognise it's a very complex world, and we're going through that process of learning.

"We're not in a desperate hurry to get to the end game in football."

Despite his interest in Chelsea and being understood to have a season ticket at Stamford Bridge, Ratcliffe revealed he is, in fact, a "tortured Manchester United fan".

Ratcliffe said: "I'm a, sort of tortured, Manchester United fan at the moment," he stated.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.