Liverpool owner Fenway Sports Group (FSG) has ended its interest in buying La Liga club Getafe.
The Athletic reported in July that discussions were taking place with Getafe president Angel Torres over a staged takeover as FSG considering adding the Spanish club to its portfolio of sports teams.
However, following an extensive period of due diligence, senior FSG figures have decided not to push ahead with a deal.
The cost of the takeover — coupled with Spain’s strict limitations on spending linked to the club’s limited revenue — are understood to have ultimately made it prohibitive.
Torres, who had previously put off potential bidders with a valuation of around £160million ($211m), had lowered his price tag to closer to £100m ($132m), while publicly downplaying talk of selling the club he has owned since 2002.
“One day I’ll have to leave but it’s a long way off,” the 73-year-old Spanish businessman told Spanish radio station COPE in June.
However, FSG were the latest in a long line of suitors to show serious interest in a club which has built a reputation for being well run and developing young talent, including current Aston Villa midfielder Emiliano Buendia, Como’s on-loan striker Alvaro Morata and Nigeria international Christantus Uche, who joined Crystal Palace last summer on an initial loan with an obligation to buy.
FSG have been committed to building a multi-club group around Liverpool since Michael Edwards was appointed as their CEO of football in March 2024.
Edwards was tempted back almost two years after stepping down as Liverpool’s sporting director by increased responsibilities and the promise of helping to identify and subsequently manage a second club.
“One of the biggest factors in my decision is the commitment to acquire and oversee an additional club, growing this area of their organisation,” Edwards said. “I believe that to remain competitive, investment and expansion of the current football portfolio is necessary.”
Over the past 18 months, FSG technical director Julian Ward has also been heavily involved in trying to find the right opportunity. French club Bordeaux and Spanish outfit Malaga were among the options seriously considered before FSG opted not to proceed.
Founded in 2001 by John W. Henry, Tom Werner and other American investors, FSG bought the Boston Red Sox and their Fenway Park stadium in 2002, before adding Liverpool in 2010 and the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins in 2021. It has also invested in cable television, golf and NASCAR.
Under its ownership, the Red Sox have won four World Series, while Liverpool have won two Premier League titles, three EFL Cups, an FA Cup, the Champions League and Club World Cup.
Additional reporting from Matt Slater.
