Liverpool’s owners are considering buying a European side in their bid to develop a multi-club model in football, according to a report.
Fenway Sports Group are thought to be in competition with a rival Champions League club, who also wish to expand their revenue streams in football.
The multi-club ownership model became widely popular due to the success of City Football Group. The British-based holding company administers clubs such as Manchester City, Girona and New York City FC.
FSG’s desire to buy a second football club was made abundantly clear when they entered negotiations to buy French side Bordeaux last year, before they went into administration.
These preliminary discussions concluded without a deal. Bordeaux cited FSG’s concerns over the significant future costs associated with the club’s stadium and its broader financial issues.
But now, FSG have reignited their interest in diversifying their football club portfolio by exploring a deal to purchase Spanish second-tier side Malaga, as per The Athletic.
Liverpool’s FSG ownership are reportedly interested in purchasing Spanish club Malaga
The second-tier side are currently owned by a Qatari businessman and a Spanish hotel and real estate group
FSG are interested in purchasing a 51 per cent stake in the club, making them majority owners
FSG representatives reportedly visited Malaga’s facilities in February to evaluate a potential acquisition.
They are specifically interested in acquiring the stake of majority shareholder Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani.
The Qatari businessman owns 51 per cent of Malaga, while the remaining 49 per cent is owned by Spanish hotel and real estate group Blue Bay.
If FSG are successful in their bid, they would be adding a sixth professional sports team to their portfolio. They already own Liverpool, MLB side Boston Red Sox, NHL organisation Pittsburgh Penguins, NASCAR’s RFK Racing, and TGL’s Boston Common Golf.
However, FSG are expected to face competition from Paris Saint-Germain’s owners Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), who made their first foray into multi-club ownership when they purchased a 22 per cent stake in SC Braga in October 2022.
PSG’s interest in Malaga has been well-documented, dating back almost two years.
But, amid interest from the French giants in 2023, Malaga owner Al Thani insisted that he will hold onto his stake in the club for as long as possible.
‘I will never, ever put Malaga up for sale,’ he said. The Qatari Emir then doubled down on his claim, even comparing the affinity he has for the club to his children.
FSG are expected to face competition in their bid to buy Malaga – from PSG’s Qatari owners
Soon after Al Thani purchased Malaga in 2010, the club were hit by financial troubles due to unpaid wages and debts.
They reached the Champions League quarter-finals in 2012-13, but were banned from European competitions for a season due to FFP breaches.
In 2018, Malaga were relegated from LaLiga, ending a 10-year stay in Spain’s top-flight.
They have since been relegated to the third division, and are yet to make it back into LaLiga. FSG’s swoop to save the club from decline could be perfectly timed, as they currently sit 15th in the second division, with few signs of optimism.