Liverpool owners close in on takeover deal as John Henry gets helping hand from Real Madrid
Liverpool’s owners are closing in on a takeover deal after receiving a helping hand from Real Madrid.
Fenway Sports Group (FSG), which is spearheaded by John Henry, has been in charge of Liverpool since 2010 after purchasing the club from Tom Hicks and George Gillett for £300million.
Henry has made it clear he wants to add another club to FSG’s portfolio to go alongside Arne Slot’s side.
The Boston-based firm appointed Michael Edwards as its chief executive of football last year, with the offer including him helping to identify and manage a second club.
Edwards previously spent 11 years working for Liverpool before departing in the summer of 2022.
Liverpool takeover update emerges after talks revealed
Anfield chiefs have been in talks with various teams across Europe over the past year about becoming part of a multi-club model.
Liverpool pulled out of negotiations to buy Bordeaux in the summer of 2024 after the French side were relegated to the fourth tier following their financial issues.
FSG was also believed to be weighing up a bid to purchase Malaga earlier this year, but a deal for the Spanish second-tier club also failed to materialise.
It then emerged in June Liverpool had turned their attentions to Getafe after holding talks with the La Liga club.
In a new development, The Daily Mail reported on Thursday (25 September) FSG has now completed due diligence on Getafe as the firm assesses the potential of adding the club to its portfolio.
The newspaper said Liverpool chiefs initially ended up being connected with the Spanish side following informal conversations between Real Madrid CEO Jose Angel Sanchez and Getafe president Angel Torres.
Torres, who has owned Getafe since 2002, previously revealed he intends to leave the Madrid-based side once the Estadio Coliseum has been modernised, with the project due to be completed in December 2027.
Ex-Everton chief warns Liverpool about 'nightmare' scenario
Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider Liverpool’s owners could find themselves in a “nightmare” scenario if a deal for Getafe is agreed.
He warned the American group could be forced to step back from either Liverpool or Getafe if they can turn the latter into a force within European football.
Uefa’s rules prohibit clubs controlled by the same owners or directors from competing in the same European competition.
That is an issue Crystal Palace encountered earlier this summer due to former co-owner John Textor’s involvement in French side Lyon.
Palace were demoted from the Europa League to the Conference League by UEFA after it was deemed the American billionaire’s involvement in both clubs breached its multi-club ownership rules.
Nottingham Forest were subsequently promoted from the Conference League to the Europa League.
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