After 12 years in charge, the Merseysiders are on the market, or at least their owners FSG feel the club is ready for substantial investment. Boston-based majority shareholder, John W Henry, is looking for a sizeable return on his group’s initial £300m investment in October 2010.
Under their leadership, Liverpool has enjoyed one of the most successful periods in its history. Indeed, they have reached three Champions League finals, and also the Europa League final. And with Jurgen Klopp at the helm, the Reds also ended their 30-year wait to be crowned champions of England in 2020.
However, their reign could soon be coming to a close with the club up for sale for a fee of around £4bn. Since then, FSG has spent approximately £1.254 billion on transfers – here are the 77 highest and lowest-ranked arrivals.
Despite that, there are fears that Liverpool cannot compete financially with some of Europe’s super-clubs. And with reports of their sale heating up, there are seemingly two major suitors battling it out for ownership.
One of them is Stephen Pagliuca, who owns the Boston Celtics and has a wealth worth £112 billion more than Sheikh Mansour.
And there is also talk of a bid from wealthy Indian businessman Mukesh Ambani.
Either way, those talks are expected to intensify in the coming weeks. However, Liverpool chairman Tom Werner has assured supporters that ‘business as usual is the way things are going for the club in 2023 despite fears the saga could undermine the club’s transfer plans.
How Liverpool’s Kylian Mbappe rates his chances
For the most part, their efforts to sign Jude Bellingham are still on track. Although he is likely to set the club back a club-record fee, it is unlikely the club will be able to afford to sign him.
Should Liverpool inherit super-rich new owners, speculation has been rekindled that a future move for Mbappe could be back on the agenda.
His future at PSG remains under the spotlight amid claims he is less than settled at the Parc des Princes.
However, despite claims a move could be on the cards, The Athletic claims a move to Anfield remains unlikely.
And while they admit his future in Paris looks far from certain, they write that a move to Real Madrid has far greater prospects.
Manchester United is given a mention too; the Red Devils are also the subject of takeover talk and have also been linked with Mbappe.
And while a potential £150m transfer fee may be within reach, it is the astronomical wage demand which would scupper either side’s prospects.
Despite super-rich new owners, both are limited in what they can spend, particularly when it comes to the harmony of their squads and how that will affect the whole team.
Mbappe, often regarded as the world’s best player, already has three goals from two appearances at the 2022 World Cup.
He will hope to add to that tally in the coming weeks, with France seemingly on track to meet England in the quarter-finals.
Although he doesn’t need the showpiece tournament to showcase his abilities, speculation about a transfer is sure to grow following some impressive performances in Qatar.
As such, PSG’s transfer advisor Luis Campos is unable to guarantee Mbappe will stay beyond the end of the season.
Speaking to Marca, he said: “I love La Liga, but the decision to play in Spain is his, not mine. Kylian could go on to play in any league, but at the moment I think he is doing well in France and at PSG.
“Football has a short memory, and football also often gives us essential lessons. I think Kylian decided to stay at PSG, and now the club has to enjoy his quality.
“I don’t know what will happen tomorrow, the important thing is to enjoy him with us now. Kylian and I do not only have a professional relationship, but also a friendship. I don’t only have a professional relationship with Kylian, I also have a friendship. He grew up with me.”
