INEOS to sell forward after one season

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS could be set to sanction the sale of another promising forward this summer.

Manchester United significantly strengthened their frontline last summer, signing Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.

They all had their moments.

Mbeumo most notably won the Premier League Player of the Month award for October and scored 11 league goals.

Sesko also had 11 Premier League goals, while Matheus Cunha found the net 10 times.

While further attacking changes at United cannot be ruled out, developments are now taking place elsewhere within INEOS’ football portfolio.

According to Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna on X, INEOS-owned OGC Nice are close to selling highly-rated youngster Gabin Bernardeau just one year after bringing him to the club.

The report states that Nice have reached an agreement with FC Lorient for a transfer worth €1 million.

Bernardeau, 20,  joined Nice in 2025 after impressing with Le Mans, where he registered four goals and nine assists in 35 appearances during the 2024/25 campaign.

The France Under-20 international featured eight times for Nice during the 2025/26 season but now looks set to move on in search of regular first-team football.

INEOS completed its minority investment in Manchester United in early 2024, while the company has owned OGC Nice since 2019.

However, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly explored the possibility of selling the Ligue 1 side in recent months.

Reports in France have even suggested that the British billionaire has lowered his asking price in an attempt to attract buyers.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Nice’s long-term ownership, transfer business has continued as normal this summer.

Bernardeau’s impending departure appears to be part of a wider reshaping of the squad ahead of the new campaign.

The deal is not yet official, but Foot Mercato report that an agreement is now in place between Nice and Lorient.

If the move is completed, Bernardeau will leave the Allianz Riviera after making only eight senior appearances for the club, ending his spell with Nice after just one season.