Report: Liverpool owners close in on new La Liga club deal | OneFootball

FSG’s Global Expansion: What Liverpool’s Owners Are Planning Beyond Anfield

Multi-Club Model Driven by Strategy and Revenue

Fenway Sports Group (FSG), the American ownership behind Liverpool FC, are accelerating their ambitions for a multi-club empire – and they’re not limiting themselves to Spain. As reported by Adam Williams of TBR Football, FSG are actively pursuing takeover opportunities in European football, with Getafe and Levante now on their radar after a potential deal for Malaga collapsed.

Williams reports that a “deal in principle” has already been agreed with Getafe, which could see FSG commit around £200m to the La Liga outfit. Notably, this figure includes both the purchase fee and a substantial financial injection into the club.

The project is being led by Liverpool’s chief executive of football, Michael Edwards, and supported by a trusted core including Julian Ward and Barry Hunter. FSG’s long-term vision goes beyond the pitch. “TBR Football understands that FSG’s focus is as commercial as it is sporting,” Williams writes – a crucial insight into how the group views football as both an asset class and performance venture.

Why Malaga Collapsed and Getafe Rose to the Top

Malaga had been a leading candidate in FSG’s shortlist thanks to its infrastructure, World Cup hosting potential, and location in a regenerated tourist hub. But ownership issues ultimately proved insurmountable. Williams notes that “FSG have all but killed their interest in Malaga due to administrative issues with the club’s majority Qatari ownership,” specifically the ongoing court-controlled stewardship following Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani’s ousting.

Photo: IMAGO

Getafe, a stable top-flight club with room to grow, now seems poised to become the new jewel in FSG’s expanding network. However, the timing of a finalised takeover may depend on Liverpool’s summer transfer activity. If deals like those for Alexander Isak and Milos Kerkez are pushed through, it could influence how much FSG are willing to allocate elsewhere.

More Than Just Football – A Diversified Play

According to Williams, FSG are not limiting their vision to football. Interest in Portuguese clubs continues – especially due to strong scouting pipelines from Brazil and superior coaching – but there’s also exploration into English rugby union and sports-adjacent businesses like media and financial services.

Liverpool fans may be most intrigued by the football implications, but this is a wider play. Williams states, “Sources talked about a more global push from FSG into sports-adjacent businesses – media, financial services and so on.”

Footballing Benefits for Liverpool

The multi-club model is designed to give Liverpool competitive advantages in scouting and player development. As Kieran Maguire, football finance expert at the University of Liverpool cited in the TBR article, explains: “Having a club in the European Union is attractive… you can use it… as an opportunity to try out the talent and see if the promise that you saw… is still there when they are 17 and 18.”

The regulatory hurdles remain. UEFA’s stance on multi-club ownership has tightened, especially when it involves qualification to the same European competition. But Maguire adds: “The multi-club train left the station a long time ago… UEFA are trying to manage it.”

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, there’s both excitement and apprehension about FSG’s evolving strategy. On one hand, the idea of a multi-club network, spearheaded by Michael Edwards, suggests a sharper, more proactive approach to recruitment. Tapping into talent pipelines in Spain, Portugal and South America could significantly benefit the first team, particularly post-Brexit where work permits and EU access remain hurdles.

However, the Getafe deal – potentially costing £200m – raises questions. While Liverpool’s infrastructure is in great shape and commercial growth is strong, fans will be wary of FSG stretching themselves too thin. If the success of these acquisitions hinges on the owners holding back funds from transfers, supporters could push back. That said, the reported shift toward FSG possibly injecting their own capital into signings marks a big change from previous policies.

There’s also curiosity about the wider investments into rugby or media. While diversification makes business sense, fans care most about the pitch. The key test for FSG will be balancing commercial ambition with continued investment.

In summary, supporters will likely embrace the idea – especially with Edwards at the helm – but only if it translates into visible benefits at Anfield. The model must serve Liverpool FC, not distract from it.