Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe suffered a major blow on Friday as his attempt to sell French club Nice collapsed at the last minute. The petrochemicals mogul, who also owns a stake in Manchester United, had been in advanced talks with an American consortium to offload the Ligue 1 side.
Deal Falls Through Despite Progress
According to reports from Nice Matin via Get Football News France, the prospective takeover has now fallen through completely. The investors had visited Nice's training ground but were unable to assure the relevant financial safety and sporting stability required at the last minute. Ratcliffe and INEOS had set a hard deadline of June 15 to complete the sale.
Ratcliffe purchased Nice through INEOS in 2019 but has become significantly withdrawn since his investment into Manchester United at the end of 2023. He previously admitted in an interview with The Times that he does not enjoy watching Nice due to the level of football being insufficiently exciting.
Reduced Asking Price Not Enough
Ratcliffe had already slashed his asking price to facilitate a deal, but it now appears increasingly likely that Nice will remain under INEOS control at the start of the 2026/27 season. The club narrowly survived relegation on the final day of the season, and changes are needed after a disastrous campaign.
Managerial Search Continues
Former Leicester and Southampton boss Claude Puel was in interim charge last season but is unlikely to be hired on a permanent basis. L'Equipe reports that Nice had reached out to Liam Rosenior, who recently left Chelsea after a difficult four-month spell, but Rosenior is now looking to take a break from the game entirely.
Positive News for Manchester United
On a brighter note for Ratcliffe, Manchester United's summer transfer plans are progressing well. The club has reached an agreement to sign Ederson from Atalanta, and the Brazilian will join Michael Carrick's squad after the World Cup. United have also identified West Ham's Mateus Fernandes as a priority target, with Arsenal reportedly baulking at his £80m valuation.
