Potential Liverpool bidders after latest FSG statement
Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool’s majority owners, have provided another update on their future with the club.
The Reds were apparently put up for sale by FSG in November after a statement revealed they “would consider new shareholders if it was in the best interests of Liverpool as a club”.
However, principal owner John Henry has now revealed that Liverpool are simply looking for investors, adding that FSG is not keen on selling outright.
“I know there have been a lot of conversations and quotes about LFC, but I’ll stick to the facts: we’ve just formalized an ongoing process,” he explained.
“Will we be in England forever? No. Do we sell LFC? No. Are we talking to investors about LFC? Yes. Will something happen there? I think so, but there won’t be a sale in the last 20+ years?”
FSG have found success in the Premier League and Champions League in the final stages of their tenure thanks to the hiring of manager Jurgen Klopp in 2015.
However, the group have been accused of failing to support Klopp in critical spots in the transfer market and have also been heavily criticized by supporters for their support of the proposed European Super League.
Last year, Liverpool commissioned the American banks Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley with their extended investment search. Since then, several parties have been linked to potential takeovers.
Paris Saint-Germain owners are believed to be keen to expand their network after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Sports investment in Qatara subsidiary of the Qatar Investment Authority, the Gulf state’s sovereign wealth fund, has spent enormous sums at PSG to dominate the Ligue 1 landscape.
They would not be able to seek a full takeover as two clubs who have ‘joint control’ are not allowed to play against each other under UEFA regulations. Talks are not believed to have been held, but QSI could hypothetically target a minority stake.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al FaisalSaudi Arabia’s sport minister previously said there was private sector interest from the Middle East country in both Liverpool and Manchester United.
Newcastle are famously Saudi-owned following their controversial takeover in 2021 and have spent heavily in the transfer market to successfully improve their on-field fortunes, with a Carabao Cup final against Manchester United on the horizon.
Al Faisal tells BBC Sport: “I can’t speak for them from the private sector, but there is a lot of interest and appetite and a lot of passion for football.
“It’s the most watched league in Saudi Arabia and the region and you have a lot of Premier League fans.
“We will definitely support it, if at all [Saudi] Private sector comes into play because we know it will have a positive impact on sport in the UK.
“But if there’s an investor who’s willing to do it, and the numbers are right, why not?”
FSG sold a 10 per cent stake in Liverpool to a private investment firm based in New York Red Bird Capital Partners in 2021, taking the club’s value to £5.32bn. Gerry Cardinale said in November 2022 the company was ready to increase its stake in the Reds.
“We didn’t sign this with that goal in mind,” Cardinale told the Financial Times at the Business of Sport US Summit in October 2021 when asked if he could be Liverpool’s owner in the future.
“I definitely wouldn’t rule it out as it would be a privilege but I think Liverpool are in fantastic hands with the current group. We’re there to support and play a supporting role where we can, but this is a phenomenal team of owners and management all the way down.”
RedBird Capital Partners completed an acquisition of Series A giants AC Milan in 2022.