Journalist David Lynch has provided an important update over the potential sale of Liverpool. The Reds’ current owners, the FSG [Fenway Sports Group] had announced in November last year that they are open to new investment in the club, meaning a full fledged sale. A lot of hearsays and rumours have been doing the rounds, with no significant news yet popping out of Anfield.
Liverpool’s season has been in turmoil, and the unwanted speculations around the sale has only worsened the situations. They are currently sat ninth in the league table, and face a serious threat of missing out on Champions League qualification for next season being ten points adrift of the top four. With the takeover drama still going on, Lynch has come up with some solid news.
‘Much-needed certainty will arrive before the summer’ – Lynch on Liverpool sale
Fans have been protesting against the FSG’s selling process of Liverpool, pinning the blame of their reeling season on it. No concrete talks have been held with any potential suitors according to multiple reports, with the fans growing suspicious whether the FSG even want to close a deal or not. Jurgen Klopp too has been outspoken in media about the takeover drama, indirectly echoing the fans’ opinion.
To further irritate the fans, it was being reported last week that FSG are now exploring the option of selling a stake than giving up the full ownership. The likes of oil-rich Qataris and Saudis had even registered their legitimate interest, however to no concrete response from the FSG who are based in the United States. Lynch has now claimed that the lingering situation of the takeover would be resolved by the summer, before the transfer window opens.
In his column for ‘This Is Anfield’, Lynch also revealed that the middle-eastern investors have now been joined by European bidders to takeover Liverpool. CEO of Qatar Investment Authority, Mansoor bin Ebrahim Al-Mahmoud too had confirmed last month that they are heavily interested in expanding their investment in football, with Liverpool takeover in sights. Meanwhile, Lynch wrote in his column:
“Mercifully, there remains hope that some much-needed certainty will arrive before the summer, particularly with exploratory talks still being currently held with Qatari, German, US and Saudi investors interested in a buyout.”
The journalist also revealed that significant spending wasn’t approved in January market, with only £37m spent on the acquisition of Cody Gakpo from PSV. While midfield reinforcements were top priority, no more signings were made after Gakpo’s arrival. Lynch claims the reason behind scarcity of transfer funds was “debt repayment being prioritised over making cash available for transfer” by the FSG.
While questions have been raised over Klopp’s future as well at the club, it reportedly depends on the ownership situation. The German has grown frustrated over lack of funds and the unwanted questions about the takeover hovering above their already reeling season. Klopp’s future would also depend on the new owners, if a takeover goes through before the summer.