According to L'Équipe, the Liverpool player, through his representatives, has contacted the family that owns Nantes, engaging in talks for a potential deal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, one of Liverpool's most iconic players and a household name in world football, has been making headlines off the pitch with his reported interest in purchasing a Ligue 1 club.
The 25-year-old right-back, known for his incredible footballing IQ and tactical awareness, seems to be channeling those same skills into the business world, as recent reports from L'Équipe suggest he is setting his sights on acquiring FC Nantes, a club with deep roots in French football.
Nantes is currently in fifth place in Ligue 1, and the news of Alexander-Arnold's interest has stirred a lot of discussion, not just within the French football community but also across Europe. The idea of an elite Premier League player potentially owning a European football club is still quite novel, though it is a growing trend. Players like Gerard Piqué and David Beckham have ventured into ownership, and Alexander-Arnold appears ready to follow in their footsteps. However, what sets Alexander-Arnold's bid apart is the fact that he is still in his prime playing years, making this potential purchase a groundbreaking move for active players.
According to L'Équipe, Alexander-Arnold is not handling this potential acquisition alone. His interest in buying Nantes is being pursued through an investment fund managed by his father, who oversees his financial affairs. The same fund had reportedly considered other French clubs, such as Saint-Étienne and Le Havre, but ultimately the decision was made to focus on Nantes. This shows that Alexander-Arnold and his team are serious about making a strategic investment, likely seeing both financial opportunities and the chance to shape the future of a historic French club.
The Kita family, who have owned FC Nantes since 2007, have been a constant presence in French football. Waldemar Kita bought the club for around €10 million when Nantes was struggling both financially and on the pitch. Over the years, under his ownership, the club has experienced mixed results, often finding itself bouncing between the top and bottom half of Ligue 1. Despite these challenges, the club has retained a strong and loyal fanbase, making it an appealing option for potential investors like Alexander-Arnold. Kita’s ownership has also come with its share of controversies, particularly his relationship with the fans and his management decisions. Many supporters have, at times, expressed dissatisfaction with how the club has been run, leading some to speculate that a new owner could breathe fresh life into Nantes.
Negotiations between the Kita family and Alexander-Arnold’s representatives are reportedly well underway. The first formal contact was made via videoconference in July, and it is clear that talks have progressed since then. A face-to-face meeting was held in Geneva earlier this month, and just last Thursday, another key meeting took place in London, where the parties involved discussed the future of the club in greater detail. In this meeting, Alexander-Arnold’s team reportedly made a verbal offer of €100 million for Nantes, with an additional €80 million to be invested in the club following the acquisition. This substantial financial commitment signals Alexander-Arnold’s long-term vision and ambition for the club.
The €100 million offer for Nantes reflects not only the value of the club itself but also the potential that Alexander-Arnold and his advisors see in the French football market. Ligue 1 is a league that, while not as financially powerful as the Premier League or La Liga, has produced a significant number of world-class players and continues to attract international attention. Moreover, with the rise of Paris Saint-Germain and the ongoing development of other clubs, the league’s profile has been steadily increasing. By purchasing a club like Nantes, Alexander-Arnold would be entering the French football ecosystem at a time when there is considerable opportunity for growth.
However, despite the significant offer on the table, Waldemar Kita has yet to approve the deal. In response to Alexander-Arnold’s bid, Kita has called for an "external audit" of the club, likely to assess its current financial health and market value. This suggests that while Kita may not have immediately accepted the offer, he is taking it seriously enough to evaluate the situation thoroughly. Still, the Kita family has publicly denied any desire to sell the club at this time, further complicating the negotiations. This could be a strategic move on Kita’s part, possibly to drive up the price or to maintain control over the narrative surrounding the sale.
It’s worth noting that Kita’s acquisition of Nantes in 2007 was a much smaller deal, valued at around €10 million. Since then, the football landscape has changed dramatically, with clubs being valued much higher due to increasing media rights, sponsorship deals, and the global reach of football. Alexander-Arnold’s offer of €100 million reflects these modern realities and the future potential that he and his advisors see in Nantes. Additionally, the proposed €80 million investment following the acquisition suggests that Alexander-Arnold is not simply looking to buy the club as a passive owner but is committed to improving its infrastructure, squad, and competitive standing.
If the deal goes through, it could represent a significant shift in how players approach the latter stages of their careers. Alexander-Arnold is known for being one of the smartest and most strategic players on the field, and his venture into club ownership at such a young age could set a new precedent for footballers looking to diversify their influence in the sport. Rather than waiting until retirement, Alexander-Arnold is taking proactive steps to build a legacy off the pitch that could rival his already stellar achievements on it.
For FC Nantes, this potential takeover could mark the beginning of a new era. Under new ownership, the club could receive the necessary financial backing and strategic direction to compete more consistently at the top of Ligue 1 and potentially make a deeper impact in European competitions. The fans, many of whom have had a complicated relationship with the Kita family, could also welcome a change in leadership, especially if it brings more stability and success to the club.
While the Kita family remains publicly non-committal about selling, the ongoing talks with Alexander-Arnold’s team suggest that a deal is far from out of the question. As negotiations continue, the football world will be watching closely to see whether one of England’s brightest talents can transition into the business side of the sport and make his mark in European football ownership. Regardless of the outcome, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s pursuit of Nantes is a bold and ambitious move that highlights his desire to influence football in ways that go beyond his playing career.
