In addition to asserting that there is a “good likelihood” that Fenway Sports Group (FSG) will sell Liverpool, journalist David Ornstein provided a timeline for any potential takeover.
Ornstein broke the news that Liverpool had been placed up for sale and that a complete sales presentation had been created for interested parties on Monday in the Athletic.
However, the owners of the Reds, FSG, afterwards issued a statement that read: “There have been a number of recent ownership changes at EPL teams, as well as rumors of ownership changes, and consequently we are questioned frequently about Fenway Sports Group’s ownership in Liverpool.
“Third parties have regularly expressed interest in joining FSG as shareholders in Liverpool. As previously stated by FSG, if it was in the best interests of Liverpool as a team, we would consider new shareholders under the proper terms and conditions.
“FSG remains wholly dedicated to Liverpool’s success, both on and off the field.”
When will Liverpool be sold?
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FSG’s current situation has caused a general sense of uncertainty. Will FSG soon sell the club? If so, who is most likely to purchase the Reds?
Spirit of Shankly, a fan group, wrote the club on Monday to request further information.
Ornstein tried to clarify the situation on the Athletic Football podcast, though. A transaction for the club, according to the writer, has a “good possibility” of being finalized, but it is not likely to happen soon.
Ornstein asserted: “Fenway Sports Group has put Liverpool up for sale and they are open to the sale of the entire club. This is the difference here because when our story was published, there was quite a bit of social media reaction suggesting this is just what we always knew, that a part of it may go.
And some of it might disappear. They have invited offers for a full sale, though it may not end up being one.
“They’ve sent out a complete sales deck, presentation, and documents requesting potential customers to get in touch.
I believe that while this may be exploratory, an evaluation procedure is now underway. FSG has investigated situations in the past that didn’t result in anything, and this one might not either; a deal might not be completed.
“But on the other hand, there is a good probability that it will happen today, and they, as they stated in their statement that they provided to us, are open to contemplating new shareholders in the correct terms, conditions, and circumstances.
“It is obvious what is occurring here in terms of their desire to listen because they didn’t say further shareholders.
“I’ve talked to people close to the matter who believe this is not imminent but that they might arrive in the next few years.
The fact that Jurgen Klopp is aware of it makes this issue both fascinating and significant.
Will someone buy Liverpool?
The purchase of Liverpool by an oil-rich Middle Eastern party or another American venture investor has been the subject of rumors.
FSG has made it “extremely plain,” in Ornstein’s words, that they will only sell the club to the “proper people.”
The club’s owners might not have felt the need to “keep up” with Newcastle and Manchester City, which have investments from Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia, respectively, he continued.
“Liverpool, FSG I should say, have been very clear internally from what I’ve heard that if they’re going to sell it needs to be – to what they consider – the right people, who exhibit the right political and sporting plans, intentions, and values and continue the trajectory that they have been on,” Ornstein said.
“They might not believe they can keep up in this arms race, and I have the impression that they don’t, based on our conversations about this topic.
“Are they willing to continue for another five or ten years while attempting to keep up with these guys?
“Michael Edwards was the sporting director; he opted to leave after ten years, and from what I’ve heard, they still listened to him in that hierarchy.
I’m not sure whether his choice to halt this cycle was primarily motivated by personal reasons or because he believed other club members ought to follow suit. I believe he was not alone in having that thought, which may also help to explain some of this.