Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold has reportedly made a formal bid to purchase French Ligue 1 club Nantes.
The 25-year-old right-back, already a minority shareholder in the French Formula 1 team Alpine, is now eyeing an investment in football.
Alongside his father, Michael Alexander-Arnold, who manages his son’s affairs through a London-based investment fund, the pair are said to be stepping up their efforts to complete the deal.
According to reports from L’Equipe, Alexander-Arnold has submitted a bid of €100 million (£84 million) for the club, consisting of €80 million (£67 million) upfront, and €20 million (£17 million) in seller credit.
Additionally, there could be a further €40 million (£34 million) in potential bonuses.
Michael Alexander-Arnold met with Nantes’ owner, Waldemar Kita, in London earlier this week to discuss the potential sale.
This is the third known meeting between the two parties, who have reportedly been in contact for over a year.
Their discussions began with a video call last summer, followed by an in-person meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.
The latest meeting in London suggests that Alexander-Arnold and his father are eager to finalize the takeover.
Kita, who has owned Nantes since 2007, has faced growing frustration due to the club’s recent sporting and financial challenges.
Despite this, sources close to L’Equipe claim that the Kita family has denied any interest in selling the club at this time.
This is not the first time Kita has entertained offers for Nantes. In 2019, he engaged in four months of negotiations with English businessman Leigh Hunt over a deal valued at more than €100 million (£84 million).
However, Kita ultimately called off the sale after details of the proposed takeover were leaked to the media, leaving him infuriated.
Five years later, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s bid puts a fresh offer on the table. It remains to be seen whether Kita will accept the deal, as he continues to manage a club where his popularity with the fans has waned.
Despite this, Nantes won the Coupe de France just two years ago, their first major trophy since securing their eighth French league title in 2001.
Currently, Nantes have started the new Ligue 1 season well, sitting fifth in the table with seven points from their first four matches.
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