“I spoke with Manchester United…”: European side’s sporting director explains why summer transfers between both clubs failed

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Manchester United fans will remember how UEFA banned the club from transfer dealings with fellow INEOS-owned club OGC Nice after both had qualified for the Europa League.

Last year, the Red Devils had been linked with a move for Jean-Clair Todibo, but UEFA’s ruling meant the centre-back eventually opted to join West Ham United.

That ban was lifted this summer, and like Chelsea operated with BlueCo-owned RC Strasbourg Alsace, there were hopes both INEOS clubs would work in tandem this summer.

There were plenty of loan deals to be agreed upon, while the Ligue 1 side could have been used as an avenue to move on difficult-to-sell players.

Why no transfers this summer

However, Nice’s sporting director Florian Maurice revealed that United did not plan to buy any players this summer, but were more interested in selling.

“I spoke with Manchester United during the transfer window in order to try and find solutions.

“We envisaged things, like asking them to sign a player and then loaning us back, but their priority was to sell,” the sporting director told L’Équipe.

That stance was understandable, given the problems INEOS encountered while trying to move on members of the bomb squad. And Nice do not have the quality of players Ruben Amorim wanted in his squad.

Multi-club model

Maurice was also asked about the future, and whether they planned to work in tandem like Chelsea and Manchester City’s multi-club model.

He explained that currently INEOS have no such plans, and both clubs have only had limited time to try talent exchange programs.

“I don’t think that’s Manchester United’s model. We have only had one year where we have been able to regularly exchange with them.”

Should OGC Nice players make an impact in Europe moving forward, it is hoped INEOS will use their connections to acquire players on the cheap.

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