The Athletic’s David Ornstein has now clarified whether Fenway Sports Group are inviting minority shareholders to invest into the club, or whether they’re willing to sell Liverpool in its entirety.
Taking to an interview with talkSPORT, the journalist cleared up the confusion surrounding FSG putting the Reds up for sale.
He revealed the American owners would be more than happy to sell if the price was right, and that if the proposed offer had everyone’s best interests in mind.
“This time guys, they would be willing to sell the whole club and I think that was pretty clear in our report.
“Their statement took a different tone to previous statements when stories like this have come forward, which they’ve always said not for sale – well they didn’t say that on this occasion.
“They didn’t say that they would be open to considering additional partners. They said new shareholders if the circumstances are right, and I think that’s the key point here.
“But the bottom line is that they are considering this. It’s real, it’s accurate, and we’ll have to see where it goes because they say that they’re remaining committed to the success of Liverpool Football Club on and off the pitch and that is absolutely true.
“That will be reassuring to Jurgen Klopp and the fans. Make of their ownership what you will but Liverpool have been transformed from a financial and football point of view since they’ve been at the club and they’re not going anywhere in a hurry. They will only sell to the right people and whether it happens full stop will have to wait and see.”
FSG would sell Liverpool in its entirety
Having rejected advancements for the club in the past, including a £3billion offer less than seven months ago, FSG’s change of heart seems to have come out of the blue.
Touted for their expected long-term involvement in the Merseyside club, John W. Henry’s decision to completely sell up will have come as a major shock to Liverpool fans.
Initially buying the Reds for £300m in 2010, Forbes valued the club at £3.6billion in May. Whilst this obviously illustrates a clear reason as to why the Boston Red Sox owners would be keen to cash-in on their investment, the timing of such a decision comes as a surprise.
Liverpool have experienced a major downturn in form this season. As a result, investment into the squad has become all-the-more necessary, as the Reds now face a tough battle to secure Champions League qualification with a top-four finish in the Premier League.
This could ultimately mean the club’s selling price will not be as high as it was just a few months ago, with huge investment needed to get the Reds back on track.
Therefore, if FSG are not willing to do what’s needed and revamp Klopp’s squad with a number of big-money signings, maybe it is in the best interests of the club to get new owners in.
However, with the likelihood that the Americans are just testing the waters, it may be a long time until we see any progress come to fruition.
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