Sir Jim Ratcliffe is ready to sell! INEOS ready to field offers from Saudi Arabia for Nice after Man Utd co-owner admits he doesn't 'enjoy' watching Ligue 1 side

According to L’Informé, the British billionaire is preparing to part ways with Nice, the French outfit he acquired in 2019 for around £89 million (€100 million). When he took the reins of OGC Nice five years ago, supporters were hopeful that his arrival would usher in a new era capable of challenging Paris Saint-Germain’s domestic dominance. But despite his vast financial resources, the club have consistently failed to climb into Ligue 1’s upper echelon and have hovered between ninth and fifth in the standings.

Currently, under manager Franck Haise, the team is positioned sixth, just two points shy of third place, which would grant them direct entry into the Champions League. Yet even with the possibility of European qualification looming, Ratcliffe has shown no inclination to reinvest or double down on the Nice project.

When Ratcliffe acquired a 25 per cent stake in Manchester United, he suggested that Nice would no longer be the central focus, likening the French outfit to a “fifth wheel” in his growing sporting empire.

“I don’t particularly like going to see Nice because there are good players, but the level of football isn’t high enough for me to get excited," he admitted last March. "Nice’s best season was the one we weren’t allowed to get involved in due to timeshare rules. They were so much better without our interference! Maybe there’s a lesson to be learned from that."

Reports in June 2024 from the English press confirmed that Ratcliffe is actively seeking to offload his stake in the French club. It appears the INEOS chairman has taken concrete steps toward that goal. According to French outlet L’Informé, Ratcliffe has hired global financial advisory firm Lazard to oversee the search for potential buyers. One prospective suitor has already taken note - Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). Known for its high-profile acquisition of Premier League side Newcastle United, the PIF is reportedly "seriously considering" a move for Nice.

Though still early, the Saudi interest has stirred conversation on the French Riviera and beyond. While this is not new in French football, Marseille has often been mentioned in similar contexts, the possibility of PIF entering Ligue 1 through Nice adds another layer of intrigue. While no formal offer has been made, the attention from the oil-rich nation suggests that Nice could become a key battleground for international football investment. The PIF’s increasing footprint in global sports, including its recent moves in golf and boxing, positions it as a significant player in future club takeovers.