Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold poised to make massive bid for Ligue 1 club

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Trent Alexander-Arnold, the Liverpool and England defender, has reportedly made a surprising move into football ownership by submitting an £84m bid to purchase French Ligue 1 side FC Nantes.

According to French outlet L'Equipe, Alexander-Arnold's offer was made through a London investment firm managed by his father, Michael, and consists of £67m upfront, with an additional £17m in deferred payments. There's also potential for a further £34m in performance-based bonuses.

The bid reportedly came after months of talks between the Alexander-Arnolds and Nantes owner Waldemar Kita, who has controlled the club since 2007. Although the offer is substantial, it is said to fall short of Kita's valuation of the club, which has faced financial struggles in recent years. Despite denying interest in selling, Kita has reportedly been left furious after news of the offer was leaked to the press.

Nantes, a club with a rich history in French football, has won eight Ligue 1 titles, though their most recent triumph was in 2001. Last season, they narrowly avoided relegation by finishing 14th in the league.

Before pursuing Nantes, Alexander-Arnold reportedly considered purchasing other French clubs such as AS Saint-Etienne and Le Havre, before focusing his efforts on the Ligue 1 side.

This is not the 25-year-old's first venture into sports investment. Alexander-Arnold already holds a minority stake in the French Formula 1 team Alpine, having joined a group of investors, including Rory McIlroy and Anthony Joshua, in a deal worth £164m. The Liverpool star appears to be diversifying his interests beyond football, even as his playing career continues.

Alexander-Arnold's future at Liverpool remains uncertain, with his current contract set to expire next year. This has sparked speculation about a possible move to Real Madrid, who have long admired the versatile right-back. However, Liverpool's new manager, Arne Slot, has downplayed concerns over contract negotiations involving key players like Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah, and Virgil van Dijk.

If Alexander-Arnold's bid for Nantes is successful, he will follow in the footsteps of Kylian Mbappe, who recently purchased Ligue 2 side Caen. Alexander-Arnold's mix of business interests and on-field success highlights his growing ambition as he eyes a future in sports ownership.