French media: Ratcliffe prepares to sell Nice, Newcastle shareholder Saudi fund PIF is a potential buyer

May 2, according to French media L’Informé, British billionaire Ratcliff is preparing to sell Nice, who acquired the French team for about 89 million pounds in 2019.

When he began to take charge of Nice five years ago, supporters hoped that his arrival would open a new era and be able to challenge Paris Saint-Germain's dominance at home. However, despite his huge financial resources, the club has not been able to reach the top of the Ligue 1, hovering between ninth and fifth in the standings. Currently, under the leadership of head coach Frank Hayes, the team ranks sixth, only two points away from third place. However, even if it is possible to qualify for the European War, Ratcliff showed no tendency to reinvest or double the investment in the Nice project.

When Ratcliffe acquired a 25% stake in Manchester United, he said Nice would no longer be the focus and compared the French side to a part of his growing sporting empire. “I don’t particularly like to go to Nice to watch games because there are a lot of good players there, but the football level is not so high that I’m excited about,” he admitted last March.

British media reports in June 2024 confirmed that Ratcliff is actively seeking to sell his stake in the French club. He has taken concrete measures toward this goal. Ratcliffe has reportedly hired global financial consulting firm Lazard to find potential buyers. A potential buyer has noticed this, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). PIF is known for its high-profile acquisition of Premier League team Newcastle United, and PIF is reportedly considering acquiring Nice.

Although there is no formal offer yet, attention from this oil-rich country shows that Nice could become a key battlefield for international football investment. PIF's growing influence in the global sports field, including its recent moves in golf and boxing, making it a key player in the future acquisition of clubs.