(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)
Finance

Exclusive: Sir Jim Ratcliffe facing £100m takeover blow

James Murray
James Murray

James holds a degree in Sports Journalism and Communications (MA) from the Real Madrid Graduate School. He has experience working for a number of local news outlets as well as the Sunday Mirror and Real Madrid TV. James is from Scunthorpe and has an affinity with Scunthorpe United, but is also a huge West Ham supporter and an expert on all things to do with the Hammers. He started working for Breaking Media in July 2023, initially writing on the Club Sites, where he specialised in West Ham content, before moving to Football Insider – where he is now an expert in football finance, speaking regularly with Stefan Borson and Keith Wyness to generate high-quality content in all things related to finance in the Premier League, Football League, and Scottish Premiership.

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Sir Jim Ratcliffe could be forced to accept an offer for Nice worth “well below” his initial asking price, sources have told Football Insider. 

The INEOS chief purchased a 100 per cent stake in the French club in a deal worth around £85million back in 2019. 

Ratcliffe put Nice up for sale last May, but he is yet to agree a deal with any interested parties. 

Bloomberg reported on 15 January the British billionaire has now slashed his asking price for the Ligue 1 side after previously demanding in excess of €200m (£173.6m). 

Sources have told Football Insider Nice could be worth more than £100m lower than Ratcliffe’s initial asking price due to the issues French football is currently facing. 

Why is Sir Jim Ratcliffe facing issues agreeing Nice takeover?

Ratcliffe’s efforts to sell Nice have been complicated by uncertainty surrounding Ligue 1’s TV deal, with the league currently operating its own platform to broadcast matches. 

Meanwhile, there is also ill feeling among the fans, who have protested against the club’s ownership in recent times. 

Franck Haise’s side currently sit 15th in the Ligue 1 table, just two places above the relegation zone after 18 games. 

Sir Jim Ratcliffe in attendance at Old Trafford.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe purchased Nice for around £85m in 2019 (Credit: Imago)

Nice make up part of INEOS’ multi-club ownership model alongside Premier League giants Manchester United. 

Ratcliffe purchased an initial 27.7 per cent stake at Old Trafford in February 2024 after agreeing a £1.25billion deal with the Glazers. 

It was revealed in early 2025 Ratcliffe had increased his stake in Man United to 28.9 per cent after injecting around £240m into the club. 

Why Ratcliffe could be forced to take step back at Man United

Alongside his issues selling Nice, Ratcliffe is currently facing problems away from football following INEOS’ financial struggles. 

The Telegraph reported on 29 December the 73-year-old is battling to save the petrochemicals giant from “drowning under £18bn of debt”. 

Ratcliffe, who serves as INEOS’ chairman and CEO, has blamed the company’s issues on high energy costs, US President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs and cheap Chinese imports. 

Man United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS is facing significant financial issues (Credit: Getty Images)

Football Insider revealed on 1 January Ratcliffe could be forced to temporarily step back at Man United to focus on INEOS despite being in charge of the footballing operations at Old Trafford. 

Michael Carrick has recently been appointed as Man United’s interim manager until the end of this season, with the club currently sitting fifth in the Premier League table.

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Sir Jim Ratcliffe
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