Liverpool ‘talking’ to Qatari and Saudi Arabian consortiums about mega-money takeover

On Nov 27, 2022

Liverpool have reportedly held discussions with two Middle East-based consortiums over a possible £3billion takeover after their owners announced that the club was for sale.

The Mail on Sunday report that representatives of consortiums from Saudi Arabia and Qatar have indicated that they would be willing to buy the club and take it off the hands of its current owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG).

The consortiums have been in touch with FSG director Mike Gordon, the person who has been tasked with the sale of the prestigious English club.

The current owners are thought to be hopefully selling to a non-state-owned party, though it is thought that both consortiums currently linked are thought to have close links with the representative country’s ruling families.

It comes after Saudi Arabia’s Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal this week said that he would encourage any takeover bids for both Liverpool and Manchester United – arguably the Premier League’s bigger clubs, which are both up for sale.

Should the takeover be allowed? Have your say here#

Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisal, Saudi Arabia’s Sports Minister
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

He said: “From the private sector, I can’t speak on their behalf, but there is a lot of interest and appetite and there’s a lot of passion about football.

“We will definitely support it if any [Saudi] private sector comes in, because we know that’s going to reflect positively on sports within the kingdom.”

Liverpool have enjoyed a recent spell of success – albeit not this season
(Image: Getty Images)

Indeed, the polarising FSG announced their intentions to sell their controlling stake in the Reds earlier this month.

Saudi-backed Public Investment Fund (PIF) have already purchased Newcastle – while Manchester City are in the hands of City Group, which has ties to United Arab Emirates.

It is thought that Liverpool are also in discussions with another USA group, as well as Britain’s richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

United are confident they will be able to get the best buyers away from Liverpool, with the feeling that they represent a more attractive prospect than their arch-rivals.