That offer, believed to be £77million, was rebuffed by Nice's owner Chien Lee, the Chinese-American investor who also owns League One's Barnsley.

But, according to a report by local newspaper Nice-Matin, Ratcliffe is not giving up and sent his brother Robert Ratcliffe to the south of France on Thursday to discuss his plans for the club with the city's mayor Christian Estrosi.

In a statement issued to Press Association Sport, an Ineos spokesperson said: "Ineos confirms that it has expressed an interest in the club and has had exploratory discussions but can say nothing more at this stage."

Managed by former Arsenal and Manchester City star Patrick Vieira, Nice are currently eighth in Ligue 1, the same position they finished last season, but they came third in 2016/17 and Lee believes they are worth closer to £100million.

Ratcliffe, who was knighted in 2018, is understood to have first approached the club in November, shortly after he moved to nearby Monaco for tax-related reasons.

He is actually a Manchester United fan but has been linked with a bid for Chelsea, where he has had a season ticket.

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