Sir Jim Ratcliffe's right-hand man reportedly held talks with Manchester United over a transfer during a secret trip.
Dave Brailsford, the former performance director of British cycling and current sporting director at Ineos - the company which has made Ratcliffe Britain's richest man - is claimed to have used a business trip to sit down with Red Devils winger Amad in Manchester and discuss a move to Nice.
Ineos have owned the French side for three years and gained a reputation for nurturing young talents.
The news comes after Ratcliffe stunned fans by officially declaring his interest in purchasing United on Wednesday, with the club's current owners, the Glazer family, under renewed pressure to cede control after 17 tumultuous years. The Americans are already open to selling a minority stake, while Ratcliffe is keen on the opportunity should it be "with a view to long-term ownership."
Putting takeover talk to one side, RMC Sport say that Brailsford - who's expected to involved any deal Ratcliffe plots to purchase the Red Devils - recently spoke to Amad in person and hopes to win over the 20-year-old Ivorian's signature amid interest from Sampdoria and Anderlecht.
There's sticking point between United and Nice, however, as the Red Devils don't want to sell Amad on a permanent basis and would prefer a season-long loan. That's in contrast to he Ligue 1 outfit's ideal scenario, as they want to sign him outright.
United paid an initial £19million for then- Atalanta prodigy two years ago, with the fee potentially rising to a cool £37m. Signed during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 's tenure, in which a host of high-profile foreign prospects such as Amad and Facundo Pellistri were snapped up, the twice-capped Ivory Coast international has made just nine first-team appearances at Old Trafford.
Spending the second half of last season with Scottish giants Rangers, Amad sporadically featured for the Red Devils in pre-season under new manager Erik ten Hag, who's understood to have decided on another loan move for the youngster. United legend Rio Ferdinand agrees that Amad hasn't developed enough to complete for a place in the senior squad.
"Unfortunately, he just isn't ready," Ferdinand declared on his YouTube channel, FIVE. "He just isn't ready. He went to Rangers, couldn't really get into the team and affect their team, which tells you he's not near getting into the Man United team. Do you know what I mean? Plus, again, is he the right player?
Get involved! Should Man Utd loan out Amad again? Join the debate in the comments section.
"He hasn't got that explosive pace that they're maybe looking for, he's more of a player with a bit more guile, who likes to come to the ball and create like that, rather than running onto things and behind and stuff like that. I just think it's a bit too early for someone like him to come in and take that mantle on.
"Yes, I don't think he's near enough to the first-team squad. If he'd have gone to Rangers and smashed it at Rangers then he'd have had a chance. But because he did nothing, he's going to be a little bit off it and he's someone we will look to loan out, I'd say."
