Van Dijk Comments On Liverpool Takeover Talk

Liverpool fans have had plenty of things to keep themselves occupied with whilst we await the return of the domestic Premier League season given the pause we are understandably on, but one of those World Cup distractions continues to be the ongoing future ownership of the side.

With reports first coming out in November that the Fenway Sport Group had put Liverpool up for sale, and instructed Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs to find interested parties for a claimed £3.7 billion deal, the story eventually changed to FSG actually only being interested in a partial sale (as opposed to full takeover) as they wanted to raise additional investment to be utilised on transfer in an effort to better compete with now state owned sides, Manchester City and Newcastle United, and presumably right now FSG think they are playing a roulette wheel at the likes of Ignition Casino Online.

It was quickly established that there were realistically about four potential buyers, but not only would the clubs' huge valuation make negotiations tricky, finding a business partner as opposed to a straight buyer is a further complication to be solved.

A potential Middle Eastern buyer/investor was obviously mooted with Saudi Arabian sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal going on record to state that he would support any potential investment at Anfield, and there were some rumours that there may be Qatari interest as well.

Having previously taken a 36% interest in fellow Premier League side Crystal Palace, Harris/Blitzer Sports and Entertainment group were offered as another alternative. Having reportedly had an interest in Chelsea previously, the complication on this front is they would have to relinquish their current interest in the league first.

With Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani previously credited with making an attempt for the Anfield outfit back in 2009, the 65 year old eighth richest man in the world (fortune estimated to be around £90 billion) was again also obviously linked, but again there is nothing concrete on this front other than he would obviously have the fortune to more than keep the club competitive.

Finally, there was American based Stephen Pagliuca who had again been tentatively linked with having an interest in taking over Chelsea. Having completed a takeover of Italian side Atalanta in 2022, his complication would also be a conflict of interest when it came to European football. However, on a partial sale, he already has an existing relationship with FSG owner John Henry which gives this rumour legs.

The story certainly is not going away though and is a regular on the news feeds alongside the anticipated transfer rumour mill talk as we near January and the opening of the transfer window, but it seems few actually yet have any real concrete news on what may or may not hold true in the future.

Following Netherland's last 16 clash with the United States in the World Cup (a 3-1 victory), Virgil van Dijk was asked for an insight into what might be going on at Liverpool.

"I have full trust in Liverpool that they will be fine. We are a very established club, one of the biggest in the world and that will stay that way. Whoever comes in to fill in those roles, they will do very well. I am aware of everything that is happening. 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. At this point, I am definitely not thinking about it.”

For any fans who are slightly uncertain given how the actual sale claims have changed since the original story broke, van Dijk's words should partially reassure them, but it could well be a very couple of interesting months ahead - if and when - real potential interest is confirmed and terms begin being fleshed out on the new working structure, the level of investment and more short term plans.

The downside to all this talk is that it may well have a more immediate effect on our plans for January, but time will tell on that front.

Written by Alan Spencer