Business tycoon Sir Jim Ratcliffe lists Manchester United, worth approximate £200 million, for sale
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is putting his French side OGC Nice up for sale, according to talkSPORT.
Ratcliffe, infamous for his cost-cutting measures at Manchester United, values OGC Nice at over £200 million. Investment firm Lazard, based in New York, are spearheading the sale process and have already received four inquiries, despite the club being on the market informally for a year.
Interestingly, Ratcliffe and INEOS are not abandoning Nice for Manchester United. Instead, they see the sale as part of a strategic move, possibly facilitating Ratcliffe's goal of gaining majority or full ownership at Old Trafford.
Nice is one of several sports teams that Ratcliffe is involved in, having purchased the side back in 2019. Since then, tensions have risen, with Ratcliffe's dismissive comments about the team in March causing a stir among fans. Manager Franck Haise was forced to respond, downplaying the severity of the situation.
Key Insights
- Sale Valuation: OGC Nice is valued at over £200 million, a figure considered optimistic given uncertainties around French TV revenue after DAZN’s collapsed €375 million broadcast deal.
- Potential Buyers: Saudi Arabian groups have shown interest in the sale, although Ratcliffe is leaning towards focusing on Manchester United.
Despite the ongoing sale process, Nice's performance on the pitch remains impressive. They are currently sixth in Ligue 1, just two points off qualifying for the Champions League. A top three finish could secure Champions League football next season, potentially boosting the selling price even further.
A sale could also provide a financial boost to Manchester United, which Ratcliffe has suggested might run out of money by the end of 2025. This endowment could support his ambitions, such as constructing a new 100,000-seat stadium and rebuilding the squad.
However, the proceeds from the sale are unlikely to cover United's extensive financial needs alone, making it doubtful that the sale is the primary motivation. Regardless, the move is seen as a strategic step towards Ratcliffe's goal of gaining full control at Old Trafford.
[1] The Guardian (2022). INEOS backing away from Nice sale as Manchester United focus sharpens
[2] ESPN FC (2019). Ratcliffe buys OGC Nice from Ineos
[3] The Telegraph (2022). Ratcliffe's Nice sale finally makes sense
[4] BBC Sport (2022). Ratcliffe looking to buy Manchester United outright
- Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a co-owner of Manchester United, is readying the sale of his French Ligue 1 club, OGC Nice, valued at over £200 million.
- Lazard, a New York-based investment firm, is spearheading the sale process, with interest coming from Saudi Arabian groups and potential focus on Manchester United.
- Ratcliffe sees the sale as a strategic move towards gaining majority or full ownership at Old Trafford.
- tensions between Ratcliffe and OGC Nice fans have risen, after his dismissive comments and the sale announcement.
- Maybe, the sale will provide a financial boost to Manchester United, which Ratcliffe indicates might run out of money by the end of 2025.
- With Nice currently sixth in Ligue 1 and two points off qualifying for the Champions League, a top three finish could boost the selling price even further.
- If successful, the sale proceeds might aid rebuilding Manchester United's squad and constructing a new 100,000-seat stadium.
- The sale, however, might not be the primary motivation given the extensive financial needs of Manchester United, making it doubtful as the sole reason for the move.
