TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD has submitted a surprise bid to buy a top-flight French football club, reports suggest.
The Liverpool star already owns a stake in French car manufacturer and Formula One team Alpine.
He joined stars including Rory McIlroy and Anthony Joshua in acquiring a 24 per cent share in the team worth £164million last June.
However, the 25-year-old is now looking to add a second French name to his portfolio of assets with the addition of Ligue 1 side Nantes.
According to French outlet L’Equipe, he has submitted a bid worth around £84m (€100m).
It is understood the offer is broken down into a £67m upfront payment with a further £17m in seller credit.
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There is also the potential for a further £34m in bonuses.
Alexander-Arnold’s father, Michael, helps to manage his financial assets via an investment fund based in London.
It’s reported they have been in contact with Nantes owner Waldemar Kita for over a year.
They first spoke via a video call last summer before an in-person meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, earlier this year.
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The bid comes following a third meeting between the parties in London on Thursday after Alexander-Arnold and his father stepped up their interest as they look to complete a takeover.
Kita also held talks over a possible sale with English businessman Leigh Hunt in 2019, with discussions over a fourth-month period for a deal worth more than the £84m now on offer.
But the proposed deal was cancelled after Kita was left furious at it being leaked to the media.
The 71-year-old has owned Nantes since 2007 but is said to have grown tired of the club’s financial problems in recent years.
However, the Kita family have denied their alleged interest in selling the club.
The England international earns £180,000-a-week at Liverpool – with his contract at Anfield up at the end of the season.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk