According to The Athletic, Liverpool director Mike Gordon, who serves as FSG’s president, is stepping back from his current position at Anfield and is set to focus on a potential sale of the club, with chief executive Billy Hogan taking on greater responsibility for operations.
Gordon, who has managed day-to-day matters at the club from Boston in the USA, has played a key role in Liverpool’s recent success and has a strong relationship with manager Jurgen Klopp. But major banks Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley have been appointed to oversee the sale and prepare a full sales deck for interested parties.
“There have been a number of recent changes of ownership and rumors of changes in ownership at EPL clubs and inevitably we are asked regularly about Fenway Sports Group’s ownership in Liverpool,” read a statement from FSG.
“FSG has frequently received expressions of interest from third parties seeking to become shareholders in Liverpool. FSG has said before that under the right terms and conditions we would consider new shareholders if it was in the best interests of Liverpool as a club. FSG remains fully committed to the success of Liverpool, both on and off the pitch.” And Express Sport now takes a look at three parties who have been linked with a takeover.
Stephen Pagliuca and partners
Stephen Pagliuca, who made the final shortlist to acquire Chelsea earlier this year, has been described as a “serious contender” to buy the Reds as he has close ties with FSG. The American acquired a 55 percent stake in the Italian team, Atalanta, earlier this year and is also the co-chairman of NBA giants Boston Celtics.
Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment and Sir Martin Broughton
David Blitzer and his business partner Josh Harris could look to revive a consortium with Sir Martin Broughton, who acted as a temporary chairman at Anfield when the club was last sold, in an attempt to get their hands on Liverpool. The billionaire duo currently owns Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment, as well as nearly a fifth of Crystal Palace.
HSBE, who also own Philadelphia 76ers and the New Jersey Devils, joined forces with Broughton to try to buy Chelsea this year, together with Lord Sebastian Coe.
Dubai International Capital
The Gulf states have prodigious amounts of wealth, which means FSG could be looking to the Middle East when it comes to a sale. Dubai International Capital – a sovereign wealth fund – failed with their previous attempts to buy the Reds from David Moores after submitting an offer of around £300m in 2007. But it has been reported that investors in Dubai could now be “eyeing a purchase.”
