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Fenway Sports Group have completed due diligence on Getafe as they assess the potential of adding the club to their portfolio, Liverpool Confidential can reveal.
It is approaching the 15th anniversary of FSG buying Liverpool and they have long had an ambition to purchase another European football club.
It has become common in recent years for Premier League sides to start multi-club networks, such as Manchester City's City Football Group, the BlueCo organisation that owns Chelsea and Strasbourg, and Manchester United's partnership with French side Nice through minority owners Ineos.
Liverpool assessed a takeover of Ligue 1 side Toulouse in 2024 but never progressed with the deal as the situation was not right.
FSG have charged Michael Edwards, Julian Ward – two of Liverpool’s former sporting directors – and Pedro Marques with assessing suitable targets and the trio have run the rule over more than 20 clubs across Europe as genuine options with potential for growth.
Malaga were among them but, after assessing their accounts, FSG pulled away and looked for other alternatives.
Fenway Sports Group, led by John W Henry (second right), have been eyeing an addition to their stable for some time
They have landed on Getafe, who sit sixth in La Liga, and have completed their due diligence
They ended up being connected with Getafe, after an informal conversation between Real Madrid CEO Jose Angel Sanchez and Angel Torres, president of their city neighbours.
Getafe were made aware of Liverpool’s interest in them when they played Hull City in a friendly at the MKM Stadium on August 2 and, a few days later, a delegation from FSG flew to Spain to begin the process of looking at their accounts and infrastructure.
It is understood that discussions between FSG and Getafe, who are sixth in La Liga, were positive and that Ward, who is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, and Marques – who had opportunities to move to Spanish clubs this summer – were central to them.
In total, FSG have done due diligence on 25 clubs across Europe since they began this process of trying to buy another club.
There is no indication yet on what it would cost to buy Getafe and the FSG powerbrokers in Boston are now considering their next move.
Should FSG wish to proceed, a deal is likely to be a formality given what they know about Getafe. The Spanish club have been owned by local businessman Torres since 2002.
What makes this situation so significant is the fact FSG can potentially complete this transaction: 15 years ago, they were looking at Liverpool’s books – and saw a club on the brink of administration.
So remarkable has been the transformation over the course of two decades, they have established Liverpool as one of the biggest clubs in the world and now have the financial ammunition to add to their stable if they so desire.
Henry and his wife Linda Pizzuti pose with the Premier League trophy in May, a symbol of how they have revitalised Liverpool in their 15 years of ownership
Liverpool even received a helping hand from Real Madrid, whose CEO spoke with FSG about their city rivals along with Getafe president Angel Torres
Ekitike's fine mess
If Hugo Ekitike was unaware of the standards and professionalism expected of him as a Liverpool player, he was left in no uncertain terms after his ridiculous sending-off against Southampton in the Carabao Cup.
The France international had made a brilliant start to his career on Merseyside but four goals in a handful of games was not going to save him from a club fine for his lack of discipline – it is yet to be confirmed, but Ekitike is likely to be docked two weeks’ wages.
A financial punishment is one thing. For a modern footballer, you could rightly argue that it is not the end of the world and they won’t even feel the difference at the end of the month – this has always been standard practice and will continue to be that way.
Ekitike’s biggest reprimand, however, will come from within the dressing room. It was quite a sight to see Jeremie Frimpong pushing the 22-year-old in the chest, so incensed was he that Liverpool were going to have to play the final few minutes of their third-round tie with 10 men.
Frimpong, who arrived from Bayer Leverkusen where Xabi Alonso had preached discipline and why it was sacrilege to let down a team-mate, had no hesitation stepping forward. Imagine, then, how the stalwarts of Liverpool’s dressing room will have reacted. ‘He won’t be doing that again,’ said vice-captain Andy Robertson and you knew these words weren’t for effect.
Arne Slot was similar enraged by the red card and something he said during his post-match synopsis about being self-absorbed, made you think of the adidas advert for the new third kit in which Ekitike features alongside Robertson, Reds legend Steve McManaman and the actor James Nelson-Joyce.
‘You’ll fit in here,’ Nelson-Joyce tells Ekitike, as he explains what the culture of the city is like. ‘When the locals like you, they tend to really like you. We’re all new here once – just don’t get too big for your boots… not that anyone will let you, like.’
A mistake has been made, the punishment has been administered: Ekitike will be financially worse off but he will be richer for the experience.
Hugo Ekitike quickly went from hero to zero on Tuesday night when he was shown a second yellow card for taking his shirt off after scoring the winning goal against Southampton
Manager Arne Slot did not even look at Ekitike as he trudged off, having left his side a man down as they looked to close out victory
How Reds will rally around stricken Leoni
What a desperate situation for poor Giovanni Leoni, whose dream first appearance turned into the kind of nightmare that all footballers fear.
There has been no confirmation from Liverpool, as yet, but he has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and his first season is effectively over.
The return to full fitness will be long, challenging and, at times, lonely but the one thing that must provide some solace for Leoni is the fact two of the men in his position – Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez – have been through exactly the same situation.
It was an awful sight to see Giovanni Leoni collapsed on the turf against Southampton, having ruptured his knee ligaments
Captain Virgil van Dijk will be able to guide Leoni in his recovery, having suffered a brutal knee injury himself in 2020
Gomez suffered the same injury as an 18-year-old, playing for England’s Under 21s against Kazakhstan in a European Championship qualifier, less than a week after Jurgen Klopp had been appointed Liverpool manager in October 2015.
It was a horrendous time for Gomez but you can be sure that he will be there to help Leoni in every way possible.
Another comfort should be the fact Liverpool have one of the best physiotherapists in the industry amongst their staff in Lee Nobes, who will be alongside Leoni each step of the way.
Elliott doesn't deserve Emery rage
Harvey Elliott maybe out of sight for the time being but he is definitely not out of mind and it was fascinating to listen to Unai Emery talk about him last Sunday.
Aston Villa’s manager said many incendiary things after his side’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland, blasting them collectively for being 'lazy' and questioning their attitude. Elliott was introduced in the second half and Villa improved for him being on the pitch, with one shot which whistled just past the post.
So for Emery to make Elliott the only player he specifically named in his monologue was unusual. There were plenty who deserved a spotlight on them but the England Under 21s international, who is officially on loan at Villa Park but with a £35m obligation to buy in the deal, wasn’t one of them.
It’s going to be an unusual season for Elliott – it is hoped he gets some benefits.
Harvey Elliott was one of the few Aston Villa players who did not deserve any criticism in their 1-1 draw at Sunderland on Sunday
Wonderkid Wright's recovery boost
Will Wright was one of Liverpool’s more unexpected signings in the summer, the young striker arriving from Salford. He is a player with potential for the future but his development has been momentarily checked.
He suffered a medial ligament injury during a 0-0 draw with Atletico Madrid, one which led to him being stretchered off, and it is expected he will be out for five to seven weeks.
It is a relief as the immediate reaction was that it could be something significantly longer.
