New Nice owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe remains interested in buying a Premier League club.
It's understood he looked at Newcastle and Chelsea this year - and he may return to buy a top flight club at a later date, says the Mirror.
Those close to the man, who started life in a council house in Greater Manchester, insist they haven't ruled out Ratcliffe making a Premier League impact one day.
A business confidante said: “Jim was genuinely interested in buying a leading Premier League club. At the same time he wants value for money and after considering the cost involved and the necessary investment he chose Nice ahead of Premier League clubs he was in negotiations with."
