This has come from nowhere
Trent Alexander-Arnold has launched a surprise bid to buy a French football club.
The surprise development was revealed by French news outlet L’Équipe this morning, who claim the England and Liverpool star is looking to expand his business portfolio.
The right-back already has a minority share in Formula 1 team Alpine, while footballers buying clubs is not a new think, with Kylian Mbappé recently submitting a bid for Ligue 2 team Caen.
Now, according to French news, Alexander-Arnold is looking to buy FC Nantes, for a reported £84m through an investment firm and negotiated by his father.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is in talks to purchase Ligue 1 club FC Nantes 🇫🇷
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 20, 2024
Reports from @lequipe suggest the Liverpool full-back, together with an investment fund, has submitted a bid worth €100m for the eight-time French champions… pic.twitter.com/EQrnWKeLbE
L’Équipe claim that the player’s father, Michael, had entered talks with the club’s hierarchy over the summer, while the bid has now been reported.
The bid which equates to a round of €100m was reportedly made through a London investment firm and is made up of €80m upfront with a further €20m to come while €40m in bonuses could eventually be paid out.
The Ligue 1 club is currently owned by French businessman Waldemar Kita.
A third meeting took place in London on Thursday, although it is claimed the proposed financials did not meet Kita’s valuation.
Meanwhile, the club are reportedly “furious” at the leak of the Liverpool star’s interest in the club and have since denied reports.
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Alexander-Arnold was reportedly also interested in purchasing AS Saint-Etienne and Le Havre before settling for Nantes.
Nantes are one of the most successful clubs in French football history, winning the league title eight times and four French cups.
Footballers divulging into business is not a new phenomenon, with many footballers making money outside of the sport they play.
Former Arsenal player Mathieu Flamini has made his fortune in biochemicals, while Danish striker Martin Braithwaite has made million in real estate.
Trent Alexander-Arnold will be looking to follow in his fellow footballers’ footsteps.
