Renowned journalist Sam Wallace has dropped a major update on Liverpool’s proposed sale by their current owners, the FSG [Fenway Sports Group]. The Reds’ prolonged takeover saga is getting more and more interesting, with no concrete talks being held with any of the interested parties till now. While it being reported that formal bids are likely to arrive by next month, Wallace has claimed something otherwise.
Ever since the FSG announced they have put the club on sale, many interested parties, be it the ones who want to buy Liverpool or the ones who just want to own a football club, have been put on an alert. Moreover, those who missed out on the opportunity to acquire Chelsea after Roman Abramovich was forced to sell the stake, have now circled around the Reds in the likes of Saudi-Qatari investors, LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and Boston Celtics owner Steve Pagliuca.
Wallace suggests there won’t be a ‘full sale’ of Liverpool
The FSG have garnered strong interest from many investors to takeover Liverpool, a club they bought for £300m in 2013. FSG initially went through a number of ups and downs with the Reds, before finally enjoying immense success with them. The club won their first league title in 30 years which came in the FSG era when Klopp and co lifted the title during the 19/20. Liverpool have also won five other major honors including their sixth Champions League title under FSG’s regime.
However, it all came down to growing impatience from the the fans after FSG founders John Henry and Tim Werner failed to back Jurgen Klopp with substantial investment in the market. As compared to their rivals, Liverpool have brought in only six high-profile signings over the last six transfer windows, including the ongoing winter market. Frustrated fans underlined the team winning only one league title since Klopp’s appointment with their arch rivals City swooping in four of the last five.
As a result, the FSG announced they are ready to part ways with the club and would entertain appropriate offers for a potential sale. However, it seems the proposed sale has taken a new turn as preparations for it are not going according to Henry and Werner’s plans. Sam Wallace, in his latest column for The Telegraph has revealed that the ‘full sale’ is far from reality, as winds are changing at Anfield. The journalist wrote:
“At Liverpool, hopes of a full sale are gradually fading and the compromise might be the sale of part of the club that raises funds that can be reinvested. The relationship between Fenway Sports Group and Liverpool’s fanbase, if not in all quarters of it, is relatively becalmed, at least in comparison to United and the Glazers.”
As Wallace’s revelations tell, the FSG are now exploring the option of selling a stake of the club than giving up the full ownership. While this would come as a huge blow to potential suitors, The Daily Mail has confirmed that talks have taken place between FSG and Qatar Investment Authority for a potential Liverpool takeover, only if a full sale is agreed. The Reds’ fans too are excited about the prospect of a takeover by the oil-rich Qataris, given it would bring enormous investment.