FSG would prefer to sell a partial stake in Liverpool to a strategic partner rather than offload the club, according to reports.
The club's American owners are considering their long-term future in Merseyside. John W Henry's consortium bought the Reds back in 2010 for £300m and have overseen a period of huge success, which has included a first ever Premier League title.
Chelsea recently changed hands as Todd Boehly led their takeover with the club being offloaded for over £4bn. Manchester United could also be on the market imminently, but rather than sell the outfit in its entirety Liverpool's owners would rather seek a 'strategic partner', as per the Echo.
Major US banks Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley are currently assisting Liverpool's owners with their next move. Henry and co are gauging interest having placed a minimum £3.3bn value on the club. American business as well as Middle Eastern funds have been linked as potential new owners.
The current owners at Anfield would rather retain a majority stake in the club with a fresh injection of cash coming from a new partner. That would free up cash to bolster the playing squad, which is in need of new faces over the coming years if they are to remain competitive.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the club chairman Tom Werner maintains that there is no rush to complete any takeover with the owners committed to the Reds. He told The Boston Globe: "We’re exploring a sale, but there’s no urgency, no time frame for us, and as far as I’m concerned, it’s business as usual. One outcome could be our continued stewardship for quite a while."
A club statement last month read: “FSG has frequently received expressions of interest from third parties seeking to become shareholders in Liverpool. FSG has said before that under the right terms and conditions we would consider new shareholders if it was in the best interests of Liverpool as a club. FSG remains fully committed to the success of Liverpool, both on and off the pitch.”
FSG are wanting to add an NBA team in the future, with a new franchise in Las Vegas firmly on their radar. LeBron James, who is a Liverpool fan and a minority shareholder, could spearhead the move, which would add to a sports portfolio that already includes the Boston Red Sox baseball team.
Virgil van Dijk is hopeful that the uncertainty can be sorted by the time he reports back from the World Cup. “I am aware of everything that is happening," he said. "Whether I am taking it in and doing something with it right now, I don’t think so because the full focus is on the World Cup, but hopefully everything will be sorted and clarified when I am back.
