Liverpool announced a “monstrous takeover bid” from Qatar in February
Liverpool is bracing for being taken over by super-rich Middle Eastern owners.
Over the past 18 months, both Newcastle United and Chelsea have had huge takeovers, with a recent report from Sky Sports (opens in new tab) linking Tottenham to an investment from Paris Saint-Germain owners Qatar Sports Investments.
Now it appears it’s the Merseysiders’ turn, with their own owner Fenway Sports Group recently putting the club up for sale.
Qatari journalist Mohammed Saeed Alkaabi (opens in new tab) has claimed (opens in new tab) that “Qatar is prioritizing the acquisition of Liverpool Football Club and is seriously interested, but the deal is not finalized at the moment. We will see in the coming days.”
The Telegraph (opens in new tab) says a February bid is likely, while according to The mirror (opens in new tab)FSG wants a minimum of £4bn for the club, after asking Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley to help with the sale.
With Abu Dhabi owning Manchester City and Saudi Arabia buying Newcastle United in October 2021, Liverpool would become the third club owned by Middle Eastern groups. It is believed that FSG is looking to sell thanks to a mix of the infamous collapse of the Super League, along with Chelsea’s example and how much Roman Abramovich raked in for the sale of his Premier League asset.
Manchester United has also been put up for sale by the Glazer family. While there are no rumors of Qatari interest in the Red Devils, it seems they could be offered to QSI.
Despite criticism from Reds supporters of Liverpool’s current ownership, FSG has invested heavily in infrastructure. The sanctioned construction of a new Main Stand and redevelopment of the Anfield Road Stand will take Anfield’s capacity to over 60,000, while the Reds have also traded Melwood for a new state-of-the-art training facility in Kirby owned by them.
Liverpool were sold at the start of the 2010/11 season as the club was on the brink of bankruptcy and the Reds’ creditors asked the High Court to allow the sale of the club, overruling the wishes of the previous owners, Hicks and Gillett, were outvoted.
More Liverpool stories
Moises Caicedo could be one of two Brighton midfielders heading to Merseyside: the Reds are said to be in a four-way race to sign Alexis Mac Allister, with three European sides reportedly also keen on the Argentina World Cup winner.
Liverpool would also be working on a £44 million summer deal for Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes, while they could face Tottenham for Sofyan Amrabat, who played for Morocco in Qatar 2022.
In other news, recent Anfield arrival Cody Gakpo has revealed compatriot Virgil van Dijk has influenced his decision to join The Reds.
#Liverpool #announced #monstrous #takeover #bid #Qatar #February
