Transfer Centre

Sir Jim Ratcliffe rules out Manchester United signing Kylian Mbappe

By Carter White | 19 March 2024

Sir Jim Ratcliffe rules out Man United signing Kylian Mbappe

Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe rules out moves for Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham and Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe ahead of the summer window.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has ruled out Manchester United signing both Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham during the upcoming summer transfer window.

The 71-year-old recently acquired a 25% stake in the Red Devils from the Glazer Family, in a deal worth over £1bn following years of supporter unrest and protests.

Included in the minority takeover was an agreement for Ratcliffe's side of the ownership to take full control of the footballing operations at the club.

The INEOS chief has laid out a new way of thinking for the management at the Red Devils, moving away from a model which has failed to deliver results on the pitch since the departure of legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Speaking on the podcast of Geraint Thomas - who rides for INEOS' cycling team - Ratcliffe dismissed the idea of moving to sign Real Madrid's Bellingham in the near future.

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham in action with RB Leipzig's Xaver Schlager on March 6, 2024 © Reuters

"He's a great footballer but it's not where our focus is," Ratcliffe said when questioned on the potential arrival of Bellingham to Old Trafford.

"The solution isn't spending a lot of money on a couple of great players. They've done that, if you look at the last 10 years.

"The first thing we need to do is get the right people in the right boxes, managing and organising the club. We must make sure we get recruitment right, such a vital part of running a football club is getting recruitment right, finding new players."

As alluded to, Man United have spent over £1bn since Ferguson left his managerial duties at The Theatre of Dreams, however the Red Devils have been unable to add to their 13 Premier League titles.

Ineos chairman Jim Ratcliffe on March 17, 2023 © Reuters

Ratcliffe was also asked about the possibility of Paris Saint-Germain star Mbappe swapping Paris for the red side of Manchester, however the new United owner was quick to rule out a move.

"I'd rather find the next Mbappe, rather than spend a fortune to buy success. It's not that clever to buy Mbappe, anybody could figure that one out," said the 71-year-old when quizzed on the availability of France's World Cup winner.

Following five Ligue 1 successes for Les Parisiens since joining from Monaco in 2017, Mbappe is fully expected to make the switch to La Liga giants Real Madrid.

Despite a trophy-laden spell at Parc des Princes, the 25-year-old has been unable to guide his side to a Champions League crown, however Luis Enrique's men face Barcelona in the quarter-finals of the competition next month.