David Beckham's name has emerged in discussions over a potential FC Nantes takeover, with owner Waldemar Kita reportedly considering a sale after 19 years in charge, according to Ouest-France. At least three bids have reportedly been made for Nantes, including one worth around €100 million.
The club are bottom of Ligue 2 after being relegated and starting the season without a win.
Why Waldemar Kita Is Ready to Consider a Sale of FC Nantes
Waldemar Kita has owned Nantes since 2007, but tensions with supporters have grown since the club was relegated from Ligue 1 at the end of the 2024-25 season.
Nantes then started the 2026-27 Ligue 2 campaign with three straight defeats, leaving them at the bottom of the table without a point.
A 5-2 home defeat to Rodez on August 22 added to the pressure, ultimately costing Michel Der Zakarian his job. and leading the manager to publicly criticise his players after the game.
Fan groups have continued to call for change, contributing to Kita’s reported openness to selling after years of resisting calls to leave.
Nantes have gone from being an established Ligue 1 side to struggling in the second tier, with poor results and growing frustration among supporters adding to the uncertainty around the club.
Who Is Behind the Bids for FC Nantes?
Two of the three reported bids are understood to have come from British-based investment funds, which have been described as pension funds.
The British proposals appear to have different approaches. One is focused more on player trading, while the other leans on a football development project and a stronger connection with the local community.
Former Nantes striker Nicolas Ouedec is reportedly involved in the second project. The identities of the funds have not been disclosed, and no detailed financial information has been made public.
David Beckham’s name has been linked to the third proposal.
Some describe him as part of a consortium, while others suggest he may be involved as an adviser. There is no clear confirmation yet of whether Beckham is a lead investor or directly involved in the bid.
Beckham’s lawyer met representatives of the Nantes Collective supporter group in Bordeaux in April 2024, showing that there had been contact between Beckham’s camp and Nantes supporters before the current takeover talks.
The meeting did not lead to a deal at the time, but it could become relevant if Beckham ultimately becomes directly involved in the takeover.
What David Beckham's Involvement Could Mean for FC Nantes
A successful bid would give Beckham a significant ownership interest in a historic continental European club, adding to his existing involvement in Inter Miami and Salford City. Nantes would give Beckham a chance to take on a historic club.
For Nantes, new investment could provide additional financial resources and help the club rebuild in Ligue 2. It would also increase pressure to return to the top flight quickly. Since retiring, Beckham has invested in several football clubs, most notably as co-owner of Inter Miami.
Reports suggest he could work with outside investment funds if he decides to pursue a deal for Nantes. If the discussions stall, Kita will still face pressure to address Nantes’ sporting direction, with the two British fund bids remaining in contention.
A high-profile takeover could bring greater attention to Ligue 2 while providing another example of how international investors are becoming involved in French football.
