Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group pull out of Bordeaux purchase – report
Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group have opted against purchasing French side Bordeaux, according to BBC Sport.
The broadcaster reported on 16 July that FSG grew too concerned with the financial instability of French football and have subsequently ended talks with the club.
Bordeaux released a statement confirming the news on their X account, and will now seek alternative investors.
“FC Girondins de Bordeaux and its shareholder have been informed by Fenway Sports Group of its desire not to pursue discussions initiated in recent weeks with a view to purchasing the club. This decision is explained in particular by the significant cost of the stadium in the years to come, but also by the general economic context of French football.”
What does this mean for Liverpool and FSG’s multi-club plans?
One of the deciding factors in Michael Edwards’ return to Liverpool as CEO of football, was the development of the multi-club model.
It was revealed last week that FSG were in talks with Bordeaux owner Gerard Lopez over the purchase of a majority stake in the club (France Bleu Gironde, July 9).
City Football Group, owners of Manchester City have developed a portfolio of football clubs under this model, including Girona, New York City FC, Troyes, and Palermo.
INEOS who own a stake in Manchester United also own Nice and Chelsea owner Todd Boehly owns Strasbourg.
Over half of Premier League clubs are affiliated with a European side (The Athletic, 9 July).
FSG planned for Bordeaux to be a stand-alone club and would not have acted as a feeder club for Liverpool.
Edwards will continue the search for a second club in Europe, with Portugal and Belgium, among others on the radar (Liverpool ECHO, 16 July).
Liverpool fans are not keen on the decision and would prefer FSG to invest 100 per cent of their time in Arne Slot’s side.
But the decision is out of their hands and one FSG and Edwards are determined to follow through with, despite the collapsed talks with Bordeaux.
In other Liverpool news, a Reds starlet has been promoted to the Under-18s squad.
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