Football Sport

Chinese firm eyes Liverpool FC stake

Written by Ben Blaschke

State-supported Chinese consortium China Everbright Limited is looking to buy a “substantial shareholding” in Liverpool Football Club, according to a weekend report by Sky News.

But just how big that share is remains open to interpretation. It is believed that China Everbright has already made an initial offer, having valued Liverpool FC at around £700 million.

However, current owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) have made it clear they would only be willing to sell a minority stake in the club and that any such sale would need to operate as a strategic partnership with an eye towards on-field success.

FSG signed manager Jürgen Klopp to a new six-year deal only last month, telling the Liverpool Echo, “I don’t think we could have made a long term arrangement with Jürgen without an understanding on both sides about our future together.”

Nevertheless, even a small investment from China Everbright could provide Liverpool with a financial boost both in terms of an immediate injection of funds and a stronger long-term foothold in the lucrative Asian market.

The financial services and investment company is listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange with its parent company, China Everbright Group, boasting assets under management of US$405 billion and revenues of US$33 billion.