This has come from nowhere
Trent Alexander-Arnold has launched a surprise bid to buy a top five league 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 thing, 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.
L’Équipe claim that the player’s father, Michael, entered talks with the club’s hierarchy over the summer, while the bid has now been reported.
The bid, which equates to around €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 team and have since denied reports.
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Alexander-Arnold had reportedly also been interest 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 millions in real estate.
Trent Alexander-Arnold will be looking to follow in his fellow footballers’ footsteps.
