European football has seen a flurry of ownership activity over the past few seasons, with big-money takeovers and club investments dominating the headlines.
The Premier League’s biggest clubs, including Manchester United, have monitored the market closely, assessing opportunities to strengthen strategic partnerships or even snap up young talent from abroad.
With the transfer window closed in many leagues, planning for the 2026 campaign has already begun behind closed doors, and scouts across England and continental Europe have their eyes on teams facing ownership transitions.
Ligue 1 has been no exception, with clubs like PSG, Marseille, and Nice attracting attention due to their mix of talented rosters and financial manoeuvrability.
United’s scouting department has also kept tabs on emerging stars, particularly from clubs owned by groups with ties to English football, looking for cost-effective ways to bolster squad depth.
Amid this backdrop, one of the continent’s long-standing enigmas, OGC Nice, has finally come into focus.
The Cote d’Azur side, owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos, has been in a prolonged state of uncertainty, with fans and staff left guessing over the club’s long-term direction.
After years of mixed messages and limited investment following Ratcliffe’s acquisition of Manchester United, speculation is mounting over a potential sale of the Ligue 1 outfit.
According to French outlet, ICI, Nice could be sold for around €200 million, opening the door for significant changes.
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The implications for Manchester United could be substantial.
The sale would free up assets for Ratcliffe’s ownership group, potentially enabling reinvestment into United or partnerships with other Premier League operations.
There is also the possibility that United-linked scouts could exploit the situation to secure emerging talents from Nice before a new owner reshapes the squad.
It was even reported that United offered Nice one of their players but they declined.
Observers note that the €200 million valuation reflects not only the squad and stadium infrastructure but also the brand’s potential in European football.
Whether the eventual buyer seeks to mirror Sir Jim Ratcliffe multi-club approach or pivot entirely, United’s executive team will be watching closely.
A sale would mark the end of a turbulent era for Nice, but it could also offer United strategic advantages, from player acquisition to commercial partnerships.
For now, the footballing world waits as Sir Jim Ratcliffe prepares to announce the club’s fate, a development that could ripple across Ligue 1 and beyond, with Manchester United at the centre of the story.
