Businessman Jim Ratcliffe failed in attempt to buy 50% stake in Barcelona
Ratcliffe's swoop for the Catalan club has been revealed in a new book
According to The Times, Jim Ratcliffe tried to buy 50% of FC Barcelona. In an extract from a new book about the billionaire founder of Ineos, 'Times Sport' revealed on Friday information behind his bids to buy Chelsea and Manchester United and, also, for the first time, his attempt to buy a stake in Barça.
According to the publication, Ratcliffe tried to buy half the Catalan club and pledged to inject billions into the club before turning his attention to taking control at Old Trafford, the new book on the businessman revealed.
Ratcliffe is the founder of Ineos and owner of Ligue 1 side Nice and is determined to expand his power in the world of sport.
Per the book, Ratcliffe had an "interesting conversation" with the Catalan club and enjoyed a good relationship with president Joan Laporta.
It adds that Ratcliffe was horrified after hearing that Laporta and his board were planning to sell a share of the club's television rights to alleviate its financial problems.
"We told them not to do it, that we would put in two or three billion, renovate the Camp Nou and have 50 percent ownership, and sign a deed to say we would never sell it," he said.
He added: "Our interest was only in football, not in making money. I think it would have worked."
Ratcliffe added that "we talked about it but, in the end, they didn't think they could go to the socios with it."
