01 Feb 2023 16:40:11
Hi Ed002,

I know you are very busy so please take this as a friendly reminder.

Do you have any update on the ownership/ takeover?

The only thing out there seems to be qatar interest in the press. Is that concrete do you think?

Very quiet on other interested parties.

Are there some parties coming to the fore now and do you think any are close to placing an official bid? Are you able to name parties any at this point.

Appreciate any info you can give as always.

{Ed002's Note - Preference will be for a full sale so the money can be re-invested in another venture. Part of the problem in finding investors is that the potential growth in the business is levelling out so it makes it difficult to sell to investors looking for growth – except perhaps those from the Middle East looking for a “trophy wife” of a club. If there is a solid return, which there will be, then finding a private equity fund or group of private equity investors is more viable. I would expect there to be some movem ent over the n ext six weeks and there will be others pondering a move. From what I understand.

Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) is the sovereign wealth fund of the Gulf state. It invests in real estate (much of the investment is in London) and successful business where there is still room for growth. There have been a number of controversies. They may look to future Sports Investments but I am not aware of interest in buying Liverpool or any suposed offer for the club.
Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) is a subsidiary of QIA although run as a separate entity. They own Paris Saint-Germain and will not be looking to bid for Liverpool although may be looking to expand their football portfolio – akin to the City Football Groiup.
Nizar Al-Bassam/Garth Ritchie are asset managers who with like-minded folk put a bid on the table for Chelsea who are looking for a sporting investment. The whole bunch are season ticket holders at Chelsea whose failed bit may make them a wildcard option for Liverpool – they have spoken with the Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley who are handling the sale. I think unlikely but don’t discount an offer.
Martin Broughton led group asked for details from the bank and has previous history with the club – although another Chelsea supporter. I suspect he will drop interest.
RedBird Capital already own a minority stake but have taken over Milan – can be discounted.
Private Sector investors from the Middle East would need the blessing of their governments, sports ministries and the UK government. It is possible. The wildcard may be the Saudi Media Group with partners.
David Blitzer and Josh Harris (Harrisd Blitzer Sports Entertainment) own US hockey and basketball team (the Philadelphia 76S) are keen to invest and looked at Chelsea. Partial ownership of Liverpool may be seen as a viable option for them
Stephen Pagliuca is the co-owner of the Boston Celtics and is a stakeholder in the majority ownership of Atalanta which would need to be sold on before he could invest in Liverpool. I would not discount him just yet and he will be well placed to put a consortium to=gether.
Woody Johnson owns the New York Jets who made a low-ball bid for Chelsea but was deselected from the bidding due to his political leanings. May be interested in investing but I doubt it.
The Ricketts Family is a trust of investment bankers who own the Chicago Cubs and tried to buy Chelsea initially expressed interst with the banks but no longer seem to be looking to an offer.

1.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 12:17:17
I've seen a few expressing concerns about Pagliuca having a history of being very similar to a Glazer type owner, although I wouldn't know enough about any of them to comment he would be my last choice based on absolutely nothing.

{Ed002's Note - He put together a consortium including a number of high-profile investors I don't see anything like the Glazers there. Do not lose sight of them but they would need to submit a plan to UEFA regarding the investment in Atalanta. Without that being agreed they will be discounted.}

2.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 12:44:59
Thanks Ed 02. That’s an example of what makes this site way way better than anything else out there. Terrific!

3.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 12:45:17
Dang! Thank you for sharing, Ed.

4.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 13:05:13
Out of curiousity ED002, who is the one which will make the final call on which bid will be accepted? Is it FSG, the investors who own stakes in Liv, John Henry himself or the bank? Also, in your opinion do you see Liv with new owner before the end of this season or at least before next summer transfer window?

{Ed002's Note - The bank will make a recommendation of the the preferred bidder.}

5.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 13:30:14
Cheers ed2 . Good to know where we stand.

6.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 14:43:24
Top man thanks Ed. Anyone else get the feeling Ed2 is Simon Jordan?
Actually on second thoughts he/ she speaks way too much sense to be Simon Jordan.
Cheers Simon, informative as always.

7.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 15:47:31
Definitely going to call into talksport tomorrow just to ask Simon that tomorrow BP.

8.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 16:40:31
Ed02, thanks!
This is highly informative and insightful.
But to be honest, also depressing. Rich owner looks unlikely.

9.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 16:43:35
lol I hold E002 and SJ's opinions in high regard- so I can get with that rumour :) In all seriousness, what would this page be without E002. Superb detail on the ownership situation. Thank you ED2!

10.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 17:32:29
Would any of these potential buyers of the club have the sort of money available to the manager that city and Chelsea have.?

{Ed002's Note - You need a different mindset}

11.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 17:39:46
Hello Ed002
Any chance the Glazer family would invest in Liverpool. OOPs sorry.

12.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 18:25:13
Many thanks Ed002, you are a gent!

13.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 18:48:01
Incredible insight ed002. Thank you.u

14.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 19:20:35
I am pretty sure edd 2 is American. if you recall back to his podcasts he seemed to have an American accent. I am sure he's said this also.
I pretty sure he's not Simon Jordan.
Either way thanks for the round up edd 2 amazing as usual.

{Ed002's Note - I was born in America but moved to Europe a few lifetimes ago. When I am being Simon I take on a "Cor Blimey Gov, have you got a taxi" South London accent.}

15.) 02 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 22:47:41
Awesome Ed thank you. Are they the only credible interested parties or only the ones you know of or that have been linked?

{Ed002's Note - I could expand upon sone of the Middle East options, but it makes little sense.}

16.) 03 Feb 2023
02 Feb 2023 23:05:33
Fair do’s. I just wasn’t sure if all interested parties were known by now. Much appreciated.

{Ed002's Note - It won't be all interested parties and I am aware that consortia are being formed.}

17.) 03 Feb 2023
03 Feb 2023 11:01:55
That reads to me that FSG have done such a good job growing the club that a potential new buyer is struggling to see the return for a full purchase. So as you say Ed 2, perhaps the fans (not me) hope really is a swashbuckling new owner looking for a shiny toy to throw their money at.

{Ed002's Note - Growth will indeed level out.

18.) 03 Feb 2023
03 Feb 2023 11:55:14
Would a consortium or investment group be worth it for them, if the growth is levelling out?

{Ed002's Note - Yes - some are not looking simply at a return on invest ment - look at Chelsea.}

19.) 03 Feb 2023
03 Feb 2023 17:50:00
Thanks ed.

20.) 05 Feb 2023
05 Feb 2023 16:07:33
Thanks Ed02 very insightful and like gold dust to us fans who don’t really know what’s going on, and at the moment just see disappointment on the pitch!

Would you think FSG will look to invest in the playing squad in the summer given the downturn in fortunes this season, or was it planned anyway?

{Ed002's Note - There is no way to tell if they will still be the owners.}