Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe suffered a blow on Friday as a deal to sell French club Nice fell through at the last minute. The American consortium that had been in advanced talks to purchase the Ligue 1 side failed to provide the necessary financial and sporting stability assurances, according to reports from Nice Matin via Get Football News France.
Ratcliffe, who bought Nice through his INEOS group in 2019, had set a June 15 deadline to complete the sale. The investors had visited the club's training ground but pulled out at the eleventh hour. The collapse comes after Ratcliffe had already reduced his asking price to facilitate the deal, but it now appears likely that Nice will remain under INEOS control for the 2026/27 season.
The petrochemicals billionaire has become increasingly detached from Nice since investing in Manchester United at the end of 2023. In an interview with The Times last year, Ratcliffe admitted: 'I don't particularly enjoy going to watch Nice because there are some good players, but the level of football is not high enough for me to get excited.'
On the pitch, Nice narrowly avoided relegation on the final day of the season. Interim manager Claude Puel is unlikely to be appointed permanently, and the club had approached Liam Rosenior, who was sacked by Chelsea after just four months in charge, but he is reportedly taking a break from football.
Despite the setback, Ratcliffe is pressing ahead with Manchester United's summer transfer plans. The club has agreed a deal to sign Ederson from Atalanta, and is prioritising a move for West Ham's Mateus Fernandes, with Arsenal baulking at his £80 million valuation.
