US investment firm Red Bird Capital Partners is considering increasing its stake in Liverpool owners FSG, a move that could raise a further £1billion and allow them to retain ownership of the Merseyside club
US investment firm Red Bird Capital Partners is considering increasing its stake in Liverpool owners.
Preliminary talks are understood to have taken place between Red Bird and Liverpool owners FSG.
The group paid £533m for an 11 per cent stake in FSG in 2021 – giving them an indirect stake in the Anfield club.
Red Bird are now actively looking at increasing their investment in a move that could bring in £1billion for FSG and allow them to retain ownership of Liverpool.
A source close to the company said: “There is a growing sense that FSG is not interested in selling Liverpool and is becoming increasingly interested in the idea of selling another minority stake. Another 20 per cent sale of FSG could raise £1bn.’
Red Bird Capital Partners is considering increasing its stake in Fenway Sports Group
It could allow its current owner, John Henry (centre), and FSG to keep their property
“There is a growing feeling that FSG are not interested in selling Liverpool,” said a source
The FSG is reportedly monitoring the Man United sale which could see Liverpool’s price rise
“FSG is also following the sale of Manchester United with interest. If United sell for £7bn, Liverpool’s market value could rise significantly.
Red Bird have distanced themselves from full ownership of the club but it is understood they may be willing to increase their stake in John Henry’s company after buying AC Milan and a majority stake in Toulouse.
The FSG has also held preliminary discussions with other interested parties, including the Qatar Investment Authority.
It is understood QIA would prefer to buy a majority stake in Liverpool, while FSG has signaled a preference to sell a minority stake first.
Liverpool supporters group Spirit of Shankly and the Manchester United Supporters Trust joined forces this week to call for the government’s upcoming White Paper on Football to tighten rules on who owns and manages football clubs in England.
In a joint statement, they said: “We welcome the plans for an independent regulator tasked with developing stricter rules on football club ownership, but there is a risk that it will be too late for the country’s two biggest and most successful clubs comes.”
However, fans are concerned about how football clubs will be run and owned ahead of the release of a government white paper on football club management