Trent Alexander-Arnold clarifies Nantes takeover bid and stance on football ownership

Liverpool star striker Trent Alexander-Arnold has been linked to rumours of a €100m bid to buy French club Nantes, but it turns out the rumours are far from true. Despite reports from France suggesting the Reds right-back was leading a consortium, including his father, to buy the Ligue 1 side from current owner Waldemar Kita, those allegations have been denied.

The deal was expected to include an €80m cash offer for Nantes, with a further €20m in seller credit and bonuses worth around €40m. The England international was also linked with an interest in acquiring other French teams such as Saint-Etienne and Le Havre.

However, the The Liverpool Echo denied the rumors, citing sources close to Alexander-Arnold who said stories about his involvement in a takeover were “not true at all.”

While Alexander-Arnold's idea of ​​owning a football club has been dismissed, Nantes could still change hands in the near future. Club chairman Kita admitted last year that he was open to a sale if an attractive offer came along.

He did, however, express scepticism about a proposal from former Nantes goalkeeper Mickaël Landreau, saying RMC:”If someone thinks he can carry the club financially and give assurances, and he is the best, I am open to that, no problem.

“I am open to all proposals but it has to be serious. You can't sell or buy the club through the media. It's not serious. Some things have gone too far. Mr. Landreau came to my office 7 years ago.

“He wanted to be the club's deputy president, including my son. [Franck, now delegate general director of Nantes]. I said no and 15 days later he was manager of Lorient. What did my son do? He is clearly at a higher level than this kind of character. Mr. Landreau, it doesn't matter.

Nantes currently sit fifth in the league after a promising start to the season. They have won two of their first four games and will face Angers away this weekend.

Even though Alexander-Arnold has not become the new owner of the club, he still has to make a major decision regarding his future. The right-back's contract expires at the end of the season, allowing him to leave Liverpool for free next summer.

Real Madrid, one of the clubs most interested in his arrival, have set their sights on him as part of their strategy to recruit Premier League talent next summer, with Rodri, William Saliba and Cristian Romero also in their sights.