Liverpool’s owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) have pulled out of talks to buy Bordeaux due to concerns over the financial situation at the club and French football in general, 90min understands.
Bordeaux, who have been relegated to the third tier of French football due to their financial situation, confirmed earlier this month that talks with FSG have begun as they seek the investment needed to retain their Ligue 2 status.
However, the French club later confirmed that FSG had decided not to pursue their interest, leaving them facing a race against time to raise the necessary funds.
FSG has carefully reviewed the investment required in Bordeaux and identified concerns over the cost of maintaining the club’s stadium which, as well as the serious financial problems facing all French teams this season, led them to withdraw from what was initially referred to as “the majority”. stake” to take.
TV rights have been a major concern in French football in recent years. Mediapro pulled out of a €780 million-a-year deal until 2021 just four months into their four-year contract, leaving many clubs in bankruptcy before Amazon swooped in on a three-year deal worth just €250 million a season.
Amazon refused to renew its contract and a new broadcaster was found on July 14, one month before the start of the new season.
Central to FSG’s plans with Bordeaux was the desire to manage the club as an individual entity, rather than creating an immediate feeder club for Liverpool, although links between the two clubs would eventually be established.
Instead, FSG saw the purchase of Bordeaux as an opportunity to restore one of France’s most famous clubs and compete for the biggest silverware in France while seeking to satisfy UEFA’s multi-team ownership requirements.
Because of this, FSG was rigorous in its search for profitability. They did not pursue early negotiations with Bordeaux and in the end could not gain the necessary confidence that buying the club would be the right thing to do despite their great respect for Bordeaux and its history.
In addition, it is believed that Bordeaux president Gerard Lopez wanted to continue, just as Marc Keller did in Strasbourg when Chelsea’s parent company, BlueCo 22, took over there. FSG had other ideas for relocating its workers.
FSG still have plans to scout another club, possibly in Europe. Former sporting director Michael Edwards has been hired by FSG as chief football officer to help lead the multi-club project, while directors Pedro Marques and Julian Ward are involved.
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