SPORTS AGENDA: End in sight to Man United saga with agreement close on Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s £1.3bn deal… while Adidas face three-way fight to tie down Evan Ferguson

• Sir Jim Ratcliffe closing in on deal for a 25 per cent stake in Man United
• Number of companies want to sign Evan Ferguson as their next poster boy 
• DOMINIC KING: I don’t understand what football is anymore – It’s All Coming Up 

No documents have been signed yet in Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s £1.3billion deal for a 25 per cent stake in Manchester United but the end of a saga that started almost a year ago is in sight. 

Those with knowledge of the situation say there is a chance the agreement could be announced this week, but next week is more likely. 

The anniversary of a tiresome process, which began when the Glazers confirmed they were open to investment, is November 22.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s £1.3bn deal for a 25 per cent stake in Man United could be agreed this week

Adidas face three way fight to tie down Ferguson

Fresh from signing a lucrative new contract at Brighton, Evan Ferguson’s nifty feet could net him another windfall. 

Agenda understands that the Irish striker is hot property in the boot world, with a number of companies trying to sign him up as their next poster boy. 

Ferguson, 19, is currently with Adidas and the German giants are thought to be keen on tying him down to a new long-term deal. 

Nike, who manufacture Brighton’s kits, are also in the hunt, along with Puma. 

Ferguson penned a new Brighton deal last week, amid interest from other top-flight sides, that runs to 2029.

Number of companies want to sign him Evan Ferguson (above) as their next poster boy

Legal advice for Southgate’s men

Maheta Molango, chief executive of the PFA, is due at St George’s Park this week to speak to England’s players about commercial negotiations. He is expected to provide legal advice to Gareth Southgate’s men on issues such as sponsorship deals and endorsements linked to the national team. 

Molango, a qualified lawyer, recently saw his wage hiked to £650,000 a year, causing some considerable raising of eyebrows at the union. Some have wondered if the 41-year-old may be better served dealing with the issues facing those in the lower leagues, like not being paid on time, rather than assisting the elite. 

A PFA spokesperson said Molango has overseen the growth of legal and player service departments which ‘provide enhanced and effective support and representation to players at all levels’. 

 Chelsea trio join Brentford

The rapid turnover at Chelsea continues. Departures from the west London club have been a regular occurrence since their American takeover in May last year, and the revolving door shows little sign of slowing. 

Agenda understands that no fewer than three members of Chelsea’s content department are leaving for pastures new at Brentford. 

Given the differing sizes of the neighbouring clubs, the switches perhaps hint at the current state of the working environment at Stamford Bridge. 

IBA chief fights back

The International Olympic Committee’s hopes that the Russian-led International Boxing Association will collapse now they have ceased to hold Olympic recognition look a tad premature. 

Agenda is hearing that IBA president, Umar Kremlev, is set to host a press conference in the next few days to give an upbeat state of the union address. 

In true Kremlev style, he has chosen to deliver this in Paris — host of the 2024 Olympics where the IBA will be persona non grata. 

England’s dead rubber against Malta is close to becoming an 86,000 sell-out at Wembley

Wembley set for sell-out 

The staggering popularity of the England men’s football team shows no signs of waning, despite the cost of living crisis. 

Friday night’s dead rubber against the minnows of Malta is close to becoming an 86,000 sell-out at Wembley, with ticket prices kept at normal levels, between £35 and £75 outside of the family enclosure. 

Robbie’s radio job

Those who attended the funeral of the popular Potteries sports broadcaster George Andrews, which attracted the likes of Lou Macari, Brian Little and John Rudge, were treated to an entertaining yarn.

The congregation who gathered to pay respects to the 64-year-old late last month were told that popstar and Port Vale fan Robbie Williams was once Andrews’s Saturday boy — ripping the latest scores off the teleprinter for Andrews to read out on his Signal Radio show. 

Andrews had thought the Take That star was more likely to play records rather than make them, having spent time learning the business from one of the station’s DJs.

Influencers are out

World athletics teams have been told by the governing body that ‘content creators’ such as influencers will no longer be allowed in mixed zones after events, which will be the domain only of professional journalists. 

Instead, ‘content creators lounges’ will be brought in to cater for those who wish to attend. 

The move has been made in an attempt to restore some credibility to mixed zones, after athletes were pestered for selfies by fans masquerading as reporters.

Championship and League One clubs interested in former Charlton boss Dean Holden

Holden in demand

It would appear that Dean Holden is unlikely to be out of work for much longer. The former Charlton boss was the first league manager to lose his job this season when he was shown the door by the Addicks in late August. 

Holden, 44, has admirers at the FA and has been linked with the England Under 20s job. However, a return to league football is more likely, with interest from a number of clubs in the Championship and League One ahead of the traditional sacking season. 

The former Bristol City boss had a 50 per cent win record in the Championship and left the Robins with the club in joint-seventh place, despite a run of six losses.

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