Sir Jim Ratcliffe officially makes first 2026 signing

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s growing footprint in European football has been defined by aggressive early intervention, structural reform, and a willingness to invest heavily in recruitment, infrastructure, and sporting leadership.

Since stepping into football ownership and control roles, his projects have prioritised sustainability over impulse, trimming bloated wage bills, resetting recruitment strategy, and placing power back into clearly defined football departments.

That approach has already delivered tangible progress, including silverware at one club and a clear competitive reset at another, reinforcing Ratcliffe’s belief that success follows structure rather than scattergun spending.

Across both of his major football interests, the ambition is similar: modernise operations, create a consistent sporting identity, and develop resale value through smarter recruitment.

That focus now turns squarely toward OGC Nice, where Ratcliffe’s model of targeted recruitment, internal accountability, and long-term squad planning continues to shape decisions in the transfer market.

Nice’s latest attacking reinforcement fits neatly into a wider strategy built around youth, athleticism, and upside — setting the stage for the move that follows.

Widely regarded as one of the standout attacking talents to emerge from Ligue 1 in recent years, the France youth international brings a blend of athleticism and finishing ability that has troubled defences across the division.

A graduate of Montpellier’s academy, Wahi was fast-tracked into senior football and made his first-team debut at a notably young age.

Since then, he has built a reputation for delivering consistently at a top-flight level, standing out for both his work off the ball and his efficiency in front of goal.

For Nice, the move represents a calculated push to strengthen attacking depth with a player who combines immediate impact with long-term upside.

For Wahi, it offers a fresh platform to continue his development while playing a central role in a side aiming to be more incisive in the final third.