Liverpool's ownership group, Fenway Sports Group, has abruptly terminated negotiations to purchase LaLiga club Getafe, ending months of speculation about expanding their football portfolio.
Deal Collapses Over Financial Concerns
FSG, led by principal owner John W Henry, has walked away from the prospective agreement despite positive initial discussions and a reduced valuation from Getafe president Angel Torres. The American sports investment group had been conducting due diligence since August, when they sent a delegation to Spain to examine the club's accounts and infrastructure.
The potential takeover cost, coupled with what sources describe as the "strict nature of Spanish football's financial rules," ultimately dissuaded FSG from proceeding with the acquisition. This represents another setback in their pursuit of establishing a multi-club network similar to rivals Manchester City and Chelsea.
Key Figures and Negotiation Details
Despite Getafe president Angel Torres lowering the club's valuation closer to £100 million - a significant reduction from previous asking prices designed to deter other bidders - FSG determined the investment no longer made financial sense. The Spanish club, currently sitting sixth in La Liga, had appeared an attractive prospect for expansion.
Former Liverpool sporting directors Michael Edwards and Julian Ward, along with Pedro Marques, were instrumental in the negotiations. Ward's fluency in Spanish and Portuguese proved particularly valuable during discussions, while Marques brought expertise from previous opportunities with Spanish clubs.
Broader Multi-Club Ambitions Remain
This failed Getafe acquisition follows FSG's earlier assessment of Ligue 1 side Toulouse in 2024, which also didn't progress because "the situation was not right." The Liverpool owners have been openly pursuing a multi-club model for some time, with Edwards, Ward and Marques charged with identifying suitable targets across Europe.
The trio have evaluated more than 20 clubs as potential acquisitions, with Edwards specifically citing the "commitment to acquire and oversee an additional club" as a major factor in his decision to return to FSG in 2024 after a two-year absence from Liverpool.
FSG's football CEO previously researched both Malaga and Bordeaux before determining neither represented viable opportunities. The search for a strategic European partner continues, with Getafe now removed from consideration as FSG maintains its ambition to compete with rival Premier League ownership groups through portfolio expansion.
