Liverpool’s Michael Edwards
Liverpool’s owner, Fenway Sports Group, is exploring the possibility of buying La Liga side Getafe as part of an ambition to become a multi-football club operation.
FSG underwent a significant restructuring of its football department in 2024 with the purpose of buying a second club which would complement its running of Liverpool.
That plan was critical to the return of former sporting director, Michael Edwards, who became FSG’s football chief executive because he is enthused by the idea of assuming responsibilities beyond Merseyside.
FSG made it clear at the time that it was looking initially for another club rather than follow the path of Manchester City’s Abu Dhabi owners who have a group of teams under the the City Group umbrella.
The Boston-based group’s moves to buy French side Bordeaux and another Spanish club, Malaga, were abandoned, but now Getafe are the subject of interest.
An FSG spokesman confirmed it is assessing its options, although at this stage it remains to be seen if a full buyout will proceed.
“FSG routinely engages in conversations and evaluates opportunities across global sports, a common process to assess ventures that align with the organization’s strategic priorities,” said a spokesman.
Getafe finished 13th in La Liga last season and their owner has recently suggested he intends to sell after committing to modernising the club’s stadium.
Although first and foremost any purchase would be focused on rebuilding any club it buys, expanding the FSG empire to include a suitable European team could have a positive knock-on impact for Liverpool, too.
FSG has seen how the multi-club ownership of rivals such as City have given them a significant advantage in terms of developing young talent, or signing players who may not be ready for Premier League football but can develop at sister clubs.
If and when FSG buys another club, it will enable it to facilitate loan deals to give valuable experience to under-21 players, or purchase highly-rated youngsters from overseas who could be developed in a competitive league to establish if they have the capacity to step up and eventually play in the Premier League.