'This is a very serious group of individuals' - Liverpool to accept '20%' takeover offer
Liverpool’s Fenway Sports Group ownership are not keen on the idea of relinquishing as much as 30 per cent of their control over the club.
That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the Americans will try to negotiate a reduction in that stake.
This comes after the news that FSG are in talks with a consortium backed by the Mittal family over a purchase of a 30 per cent stake in Liverpool, with an offer of £1.35 billion on the table.
The Reds’ ownership are locked in ongoing talks with the proposed investors behind the scenes, but Wyness is adamant that they won’t want to give up any more than a 20 per cent stake in the club.
The ownership group have seen the value of the club skyrocket since they purchased the Anfield outfit for £300million back in 2010.
Wyness believes that FSG will only allow the consortium to come on board if a deal can be agreed firmly on their own terms.
FSG to include clauses for increased stake
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that FSG may include a clause that allows the consortium to take on a larger stake in the club in future years.
The Scottish businessman believes that could be a handy compromise for them to be able to reduce the current deal down to just a 20 per cent stake.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, he also explained that the new investors may get “right of first refusal” if the current owners ever decide to sell in full.
“I've heard the group would look like as much as possible really, but Fenway don't want to give up control, so that would mean a ceiling in my opinion of about 30 per cent,” Wyness said.
“But I don't think Fenway will go that high. I think it's likely to be more around 20 per cent, and what will be interesting is if there are any options for that group to be able to increase their percentage over time.
“Could there be even an option of right of first refusal should Fenway wish to sell? Those are the sort of things that are going to be really interesting, but we probably won’t know until the details are done.
“This is a very serious group of individuals, and it strengthens Fenway's hands, but the interesting bit will be what options they have to increase that down the road.”
FSG effectively in Liverpool ‘for free’
Former Manchester City financial advisor Stefan Borson recently told Football Insider that FSG are effectively in Liverpool “for free” at this stage, such is the return on their investment that they have already received.
The football finance expert believes that it is not out of the question that they could even consider a full sale of the club within the next few years.
However, Borson also questioned whether there is anyone out there who would have the money to complete a full takeover, such is the value of Liverpool in today’s market.
He made it clear that those questions are to be answered in future, but for now, it is a positive move for the Reds and their owners.