Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group are leaning towards a partial sale of their stake in the club after previously announcing they are looking to sell up.
It emerged last month that the American owners are keen to sell and put together a full presentation for interested parties. They retained Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley to assist with the process of selling as they gauge interest and invite offers, with a number of parties already expressing their interest in buying the club.
FSG took over in 2010 with Liverpool going through a transition period but the Reds have since won the Premier League and the Champions League under their ownership. It seemed as though the Reds were preparing for a complete change at the top and FSG to leave the club completely, but that could now change.
According to the Boston Globe, FSG are now leaning towards a partial sale of their ownership as opposed to a full takeover, with the club claimed to be in discussions with "an array of suitors". Sources told the Globe that a partial equity sale was the most likely outcome for FSG, as player recruitment is at the top of the agenda to start with and feel selling a small stake will help to start that process.
One suggestion is that a minority partner could come on board and then turn their position into one of complete control further down the line. Although FSG would prioritise that route, they remain open to offers of a full takeover they have not yet received compelling interest.
Last month, numerous potential investors were linked with the club, including Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment. Sam Kennedy, CEO of the Boston Red Sox and a Fenway Sports partner, gave an update on the process of selling the Reds on November 17.
"There has been a lot of interest from numerous potential partners considering investment into the club," Kennedy revealed. "It is early days in terms of exploring possibilities for possible investment into Liverpool.
"Mike Gordon has done an extraordinary job of leading the club for the past decade-plus. He will be taking a step back from that role and (Liverpool CEO) Billy Hogan will be taking on more and more. Billy’s someone we’re particularly proud of in the Red Sox front office, he grew up in our organisation.
"Great companies grow by adding value to their business. One way to increase that value from time to time is to sell assets or add investors. Does that mean FSG is going to sell Liverpool? I do not know. It’s John Henry’s, Tom Werner’s and Mike Gordon’s job to responsibly run Fenway Sports Group and they felt this was an ideal time to explore possible opportunities for investment into the club."
