Bradley Wiggins says proposed Team Sky takeover looks ideal for Dave Brailsford

Reports have suggested Ratcliffe, the founder and chairman of the Ineos chemicals company who has a £21billion fortune, will step in to replace Sky’s sponsorship, with confirmation of a deal said to be imminent.

Ineos and Team Sky have thus far declined to comment on the speculation.

Sky announced in December it would be ending its association with the team at the end of the year.

The partnership has extended beyond 10 years, with the team securing eight Grand Tour victories during that period from Eccleston-based Wiggins, Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas.

And Tour de France winner Wiggins believes a deal with Ratcliffe would benefit the team under the continuing leadership of general manager Brailsford.

“Dave will want to retain control and it is Dave’s way in terms of the way he manages the team, the way he sets the team up,” the Olympic gold medallist said.

“I think he would have been reluctant to have another multi-national company that came in that wanted it for the advertisement and to get their name out there, but would want the control in terms of ‘This is how we want to do it in terms of how we advertise our company’.

“I think that would have been a big point for Dave.

“So in some ways it’s an ideal situation.

“He (Ratcliffe) is the richest man in Britain and you would imagine that the kind of money they have asked for is nothing to him.

“Dave can continue running out this team with all his plans and philosophies, so it’s an ideal situation for him and he is answerable you’d imagine to one man – it’s his money.

“It will certainly help that team.”