Liverpool involved in Saudi takeover 'rumors' after FSG talks and Newcastle issues

Liverpool has been named as as the state eyes up a ‘bigger club’ than Newcastle.

Questions are being asked once again about the Public Investment Fund’s takeover of the Magpies after leaked WhatsApp messages suggested that Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman controlled the October 2021 deal. If so, it would contradict the ‘legally binding assurances’ that the PIF and Saudi state were separate.

Amanda Staveley, who fronted the deal and became a minority co-owner and club director before selling her shares in July, wrote during the takeover: “The Crown Prince is losing patience. I need to assure him we will get there.”

Staveley’s lawyers have told that she “only ever referenced the Crown Prince in his capacity as chairman of PIF”, and called suggestions that the entity isn’t separate from the Saudi state in the running of Newcastle “as illogical as it is misconceived.”

Rival club executives though are now seeking more answers from the Premier League, having been left angry that the takeover was allowed to go ahead in the first place. The league’s chief executive Richard Masters stated just a month after the deal went through that there was a ‘corporate difference’ between PIF and the Saudi state, and that “if we find evidence to the contrary, we can remove the consortium as owners of the club”.

According to though, Newcastle is not the only club being eyed up for a Saudi takeover. It’s claimed that the state is looking to take control of a bigger club, with ‘rumors abound’ about Liverpool and Chelsea.

Barcelona is also touted as a possibility, with the Catalan club’s financial troubles potentially ending the club’s full member ownership and forcing the sale of a partial stake.

Liverpool owners have had dealings with PIF in recent times. was said to have been involved about a potential $1bn investment from the Saudi group.

FSG also sold a minority stake in Liverpool to global sports investment firm Dynasty Equity last year following rumors that they could look to sell the club. It would be a big surprise to see the Reds’ owners try to sell up now, given that they are looking to expand their soccer portfolio after bringing Michael Edwards and Julian Ward back earlier this year.