Exclusive: Liverpool owners in line for takeover boost from ‘serious player’
Liverpool’s owners could receive a boost in their bid to purchase another club after new takeover talks have been revealed, sources have told Football Insider.
Fenway Sports Group (FSG), which is spearheaded by John Henry, has been looking to add a club to its portfolio alongside Arne Slot’s side.
Arctos Partners is one of multiple investors to have purchased a minority stake in FSG in recent years.
However, the Financial Times reported on 5 December US private capital group KKR is in talks to acquire Arctos, which also holds an interest in PSG alongside Liverpool.
Sources have told Football Insider KRR’s proposed deal to buy the US private equity company would provide FSG with more financial power as part of its plans to build a multi-club model.
Which clubs have Liverpool’s owners considered buying?
While Arctos’ stake in FSG is relatively small, KRR is one of the largest companies in the private equity industry, having accumulated more than £500billion in assets.
The Financial Times said KRR’s interest in Arctos comes as it “looks to wealthy individual investors and ordinary retirement savers for future asset growth”, making sports investments that attract interest from everyday investors an “appealing new product offering”.
Sources have told Football Insider a “serious player” like KRR taking up a stake in FSG would boost its chances of securing a new club.
Liverpool’s owners have spent the best part of the past year-and-a-half finding the right team to purchase.
FSG appointed Michael Edwards as its chief executive of football in March 2024, with the offer including him helping to identify and manage a second club.
Liverpool’s owners pulled out of negotiations to buy Bordeaux in July 2024 after the French side were relegated to the fourth tier following their financial issues.
FSG also weiged up a bid to purchase Malaga earlier this year, but a deal for the Spanish second-tier club also failed to materialise.
Liverpool owners plan to agree new deal after takeover collapse
It appeared as though FSG was closing in on a deal to buy Getafe after they emerged as a potential option over the summer.
The Boston-based firm completed due diligence on the Spanish club in September after holding talks with president Angel Torres for several months.
However, it was revealed last month FSG had ended its interest in buying the La Liga side due to the potential cost of the takeover and Spain’s strict spending restrictions.
Football Insider revealed on 14 November Liverpool’s owners are expected to continue their pursuit of a new club to buy after the Getafe deal collapsed.
It is believed KRR could help with that process if the New York-based firm can get its deal over the line to purchase Arctos.
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