Pep Guardiola fan Wolff won't be part of Manchester United bid

Ineos's Manchester-born billionaire chairman Ratcliffe is poised to take a 25% stake in the Premier League side. Asked whether he might be tempted to join the Briton, Austrian Wolff - also a co-owner of the Mercedes team - distanced himself from any immediate involvement.

Wolff told Sky Sports that Ratcliffe was "such a clever person" that he would be willing to have a chat if there was anything he could contribute "but no, that's very far away.

"I'm a Premier League fan. I think it's the toughest environment. I'm a Pep Guardiola fan, so I guess that's not compatible," added Wolff.

Guardiola was a guest of Mercedes at this year's British Grand Prix and also at last year's season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

"We didn’t know each other but when I heard him talking, it was like my sentences, the same approach -- and he said the same about me," Wolff told Formula One's 'Beyond the Grid' podcast last year.

"Fundamentally, it’s down to human management, and (he is) someone that is certainly going to be part of my journey going forward because he was just on the same wavelength."

Wolff was also photographed with Guardiola at Yas Marina holding a Manchester City shirt with Toto on the back.

The latest on the bid is that Ratcliffe is looking to invest $300 million in Manchester United's infrastructure, in addition to his $1.5 billion plus offer to buy a 25% stake in the soccer club, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The investment, intended for upgrading the club's ageing infrastructure, will be financed by the billionaire personally and not add to the Premier league club's existing borrowings, the source said. Shares in United rose 4% to $18.85 on the news, which Sky News first reported.

Ratcliffe did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Manchester United declined to respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Reuters reported in October that Ratcliffe would pay more than $1.5 billion for a 25% stake in United were his bid for the iconic soccer club to be accepted by the Glazer family that controls it.

The Glazers have not yet reached a deal with Ratcliffe but one is expected to be finalised between the two sides in the coming weeks, the source said.