Liverpool owners ‘want to sell at the top’ after confirmed news
Liverpool will return to the top of the tree in England this year when they wrap up the Premier League title – their second under Fenway Sports Group’s ownership.
The Reds’ imminent success comes amid a shift at RedBird Capital Partners, who own a significant chunk of FSG after completing a £565million investment in 2021.
As per Bloomberg (4 April), former tennis chief Massimo Calvelli is set to join investment firm RedBird in July as an operating partner.
RedBird are only indirectly linked with Liverpool but have majority stakes in AC Milan and French side Toulouse.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has revealed what impact Calvelli’s appointment could have at Anfield.
RedBird reshuffle will have little impact at Liverpool, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness expects little impact at Liverpool but more investment in cricket, tennis and other “disruptive” events such as football’s Baller League.
RedBird are just one of several partners in FSG, with LeBron James and Jimmy Iovine among their other investors.
Wyness claimed the focus of any equity group in football will always be to “sell at the top”.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I don’t think it’s going to affect Liverpool.
“For RedBird, this will be about looking at their general sports investments and trying to expand.
“They are a very interesting and very active group.
“This is about broader sporting initiatives, they’ll be looking at new, disruptive sports.
“We’ve seen huge investment numbers coming into cricket. I do expect more investment there, and also in tennis.
“We’re also seeing things like the Baller League and the Kings League. They’re getting more attention and more traction.
“Massimo, with his experience in tennis, will be important because he’s been part of a sport that has gone through change.
“He can see how you can take a sport from one level, make it grow, and make it more valuable.
“That’s what all these guys want – to sell at the top.”
Liverpool target Ekitike will cost ‘£80m’
Meanwhile, Football Insider has revealed (18 April) that Liverpool have been told they will have to pay £80million to secure the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitike.
| Appearances (Starts) | 43 (38) |
| Minutes Played | 3203 |
| Goals | 21 |
| Assists | 9 |
| Yellow Cards | 3 |
Frankfurt are extremely reluctant to let him leave after Omar Marmoush’s move to Man City in January.
Ekitike, 22, has hit 21 goals and provided nine assists across all competitions for the Bundesliga side.
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