Alexander-Arnold wants €100m deal

Robin Bairner

• 20 Sept 2024 08:07 BST
• 3 min read

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold is ready to launch an astonishing bid to purchase Ligue 1 club Nantes, according to reports from France.

L’Equipe reports that talks have already been opened between Alexander-Arnold, whose interests are managed by his father Michael via an investment fund based in London, and current Nantes owner Waldemar Kita.

The Reds’ defender is said to have a particular interest in the French sports market and has already invested, along with former Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata, invested in Formula 1 team Alpine Racing last October.

READ MORE: Latest Liverpool transfer news

Alexander-Arnold’s people had studied making a move for Saint-Etienne and have taken an interest in Le Havre, France’s oldest club, yet after being pointed in the direction of Nantes, discussions have been opened.

Kita’s ownership of the Ligue 1 side has been the subject of serious controversy in recent years, with supporters protesting against his leadership. Fans are unhappy with the lack of investment in the playing squad while plans to move away from the historic Stade de la Beaujoire were greeted with derision.

He first opened talks with the Alexander-Arnold clan in the middle of July via a video conference, L’Equipe reports, while there was a face-to-face meeting in Geneva in the middle of September.

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It is claimed that the Liverpool defender offered €100 million to buy the club, which is €25m more than BlueCo spent when purchasing Strasbourg in June 2023.

In a third meeting that was held in London on Thursday, it is claimed that Kita has allowed Alexander-Arnold’s people to audit the club but has not accepted any bid for the club.

Complicated deal

Nantes’ current owner is said to want a total of €150m for the club, while Kita has “categorically denied any discussions or desire to sell” when approached for comment on Thursday by L’Equipe.

During a 2019 negotiation with Englishman Benjamin Leigh Hunt, Kita broke off talks of selling the club over a leak.

Meanwhile, it is unclear whether Alexander-Arnold’s investment fund has the wealth to match the demands of the Nantes owner.