Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has reportedly submitted an offer to buy a Ligue 1 club.
Alexander-Arnold, 25, is already a minority shareholder of French Formula 1 team Alpine, and is now interested in making another investment, this time in a football club.
Alongside his dad, Michael, who manages his son via an investment fund based in London, the pair have stepped up their interest in getting their next deal over the line.
According to L’Equipe, Alexander-Arnold has made a bid that amounts to €100m (£84m) to purchase Nantes.
It is understood that this would be €80m (£67m) up front, along with €20m (£17m) in seller credit. There would also be a potential further €40m (£34m) in bonuses.
Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold has submitted a shock bid to buy a French club
His dad, Michael (right), is heavily involved in the potential deal on behalf of his son
The reported bid comes after Michael held a meeting with Nantes owner Waldemar Kita earlier this week.
The pair met in London on Thursday to discuss a potential deal, and they have been in contact for over a year.
They first spoke via video call last summer prior to meeting in person in Geneva, Switzerland, more recently.
A third meeting has now taken place as Alexander-Arnold and his dad aim to complete their takeover of Nantes.
Kita has owned Nantes since 2007, but has reportedly grown tired of the club’s sporting and financial struggles in recent times.
However, according to L’Equipe sources, the Kita family has denied interest in selling the club.
Kita also held talks with English businessman Leigh Hunt in 2019, with discussions taking place over four months for a deal worth in excess of €100m (£84m).
However, Kita called off the sale after being left furious about the proposed takeover being leaked to the media.
Nantes are currently fifth in Ligue 1 after taking seven points from their first four matches
Five years on, a new offer is on the table from Alexander-Arnold, but it remains to be seen whether it will be accepted by Kita.
The 71-year-old Franco-Polish businessman has become less popular over time with Nantes fans, despite the club winning the Coupe de France two years ago.
That was their first piece of the silverware since they won the French title for the eighth time in 2001.
Nantes have made a positive start to the new season, collecting seven points from their opening four matches to leave them fifth in France’s top flight.
