Sir Jim Ratcliffe has significantly reduced the asking price for French club OGC Nice as he seeks to offload his stake, according to Bloomberg. The Ineos owner had originally sought more than €200m (£173m) for a full sale, but potential investors were unwilling to meet that valuation, prompting a marked reduction.
The sale process, overseen by advisory firm Lazard Inc, has been complicated by uncertainty over French television rights. DAZN initially acquired the broadcast rights, but after the collapse of that agreement, Ligue 1 clubs have been managing their own distribution, deterring prospective buyers.
A deal would bring an end to nearly seven years of Ineos ownership, a period that has produced mixed results. Nice currently sit 14th in Ligue 1, just six points above the relegation zone, and have yet to register a point in the Europa League, with criticism mounting over the club's management.
Meanwhile, Manchester United, where Ratcliffe holds a partial stake, face their own turbulence. Ruben Amorim, the first permanent appointment under the new sporting structure, was dismissed after friction over his role, having insisted he was the club's manager rather than a head coach. Michael Carrick has been appointed interim boss, and pressure is on Ineos to find a permanent successor who can align with a coherent playing philosophy and targeted recruitment.
