Liverpool owners FSG edge closer to $3 billion deal as negotiations with Newcastle United PIF continue
Fenway Sports Group are part of an investment consortium aiming to purchase a stake in the PGA Tour.
Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group have made ‘meaningful progress’ in their pursuit of purchasing a minority stake in the PGA Tour.
The Boston-based group are aiming to expand their already impressive portfolio that includes the Reds, MLB team the Boston Red Sox and NHL outfit the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Last year, FSG took their first step into golf by purchasing a franchise – now named Boston Common – in the newly-formed TGL that is spearheaded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
Since then, FSG have aimed to take advantage of the wrangling between the PGA and the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund-backed LIV Golf. LIV proved a great disruptor of the game as they prised major winners including Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka and most recently John Rahm to join the tour.
On 6 June, the PGA, LIV and the DP World Tour came to a framework agreement, although negotiations were unable to be thrashed out by the New Year’s Eve deadline. As a result, an extension has been given.
But FSG’s agreement is said to be close. In the latter months of 2023, FSG went into partnership with a number of businessmen and investment funds – including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ brother Mark – to former the Strategic Sports Group. It has been suggested that the deal could be worth up to $3 billion, per ESPN.
In a memo sent out on 31 December, PGA tour commissioner Jay Monahan said: “As you know, the [PGA Tour policy] board unanimously directed management to pursue exclusive negotiations with SSG. I am pleased to report that we have made meaningful progress and have provided SSG with the due diligence information they requested.
“As we move forward in our discussions, we are focused on the finalisation of terms and drafts of necessary documents. We also continue our active and productive conversations with PIF and the DP World Tour.
“While we had initially set a deadline of December 31, 2023 to reach an agreement, we are working to extend our negotiations into n:ext year based on the progress we have made to date. Our goal for 2024 is to reach agreements with SSG, PIF and the DP World Tour, bringing them on board as minority co-investors in PGA Tour Enterprises.”
Speaking to the Boston Globe in November, Liverpool and FSG chairman Tom Werner said “There are a number of people who have raised their hands to say that they would be interested in helping the new PGA, and it’s really up to the players and the board to decide the direction they want to go in. We’ve said that we think that we can help them, but it’s really up to them to decide the path.
“We’ve always thought golf is a growth sport and we feel we have competency in hospitality, in ticketing, creating enthusiasm for the venue that you come to, sponsorship, relations with the fans — these are areas that we have expertise in.
“There’s a narrative that we’re taking our eye off the ball. Our focus is obviously on the businesses that we are working in. If this happens, it happens, but it’s not going to divert our attention.”
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Liverpool chiefs eyeing new midfield target who is “something special”
He could be a brilliant option for Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool are reportedly battling both Manchester United and Real Madrid for the signing of an exciting midfielder who has been hailed as “something special”.
Why Liverpool need one more midfielder
Much was made of the manner in which Jurgen Klopp almost completely rebuilt his midfield at the end of last season, with the Reds’ struggles last term making it clear that huge changes were required. Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch have made a huge difference, helping Liverpool top the Premier League table at the beginning of 2024.
Despite this, supporters would still like to see another No.6 come in, as although Mac Allister has adjusted well to the role and Endo has proven an astute buy, an out-and-out destroyer like Fulham’s Joao Palhinha would add some serious stability. Kalvin Phillips has also been mooted as a target for the Merseysiders, as he looks to bring an end to his disappointing spell at Manchester City this month, but that deal seems unlikely.
It remains to be seen if Klopp will delve into the transfer market for another midfielder this month, but interest in one highly-rated player has emerged.
Liverpool in the mix for Federico Redondo
According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are one of the clubs who are keen on signing Federico Redondo, who is currently plying his trade at Argentinos Juniors in Argentina.
“Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid are among the big clubs that are keen on snaring holding-midfield player Federico Redondo. The world’s biggest clubs are constantly seeking to find the best talent around the world. One such prodigy making headlines is Redondo, the dynamic midfielder from Argentinos Juniors.”
The report also adds that “Liverpool’s interest in Redondo seems a strategic move to bolster their midfield options”, with Klopp’s system and style of play “demanding versatility and stamina”, which is why he could be a “perfect fit”.
Redondo is someone who remains completely untested in European football, but the four-time capped Argentina Under-23 international is making waves in his homeland. The son of legendary former Real Madrid ace Fernando Redondo, the 20-year-old has been talked up hugely by journalist Roy Nemer in the recent past, who said:
“If I’m Xavi and FC Barcelona, I am looking to bring in Federico Redondo. The kid is a mirror image of his father who is one of the greatest players ever in his position. With Busquets now leaving, Redondo is a great player to have for now and the future. Kid is something special.”
| Federico Redondo strengths | Federico Redondo weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Passing | Discipline |
| Aerial duels | Pace |
| Work rate | Inexperience |
At 20, Redondo could be viewed as a long-term option for Liverpool, and with Thiago possibly leaving at the end of this season when his contract expires, he could simply come in as a younger replacement, possessing the Spaniard’s ability to break the line and dictate play.
If he reaches anything close to the level of his father, the Reds would be acquiring the signature of a very special player, and he should only improve in the coming years.
Klopp could end Nunez’s Liverpool career by signing Europe’s “best player”
The Anfield side could preserve the destructive attacking ability for years to come with this signing.
Liverpool will feel that major strides have been taken since the summer, with Jurgen Klopp working his magic to plant the seeds for a title challenge after a miserable 2022/23 campaign, something that is firmly on track at the season’s midpoint.
In first place in the Premier League, having topped Europa League Group E and awaiting the double-legged semi-final tie in the Carabao Cup against Fulham, there is plenty to be optimistic about at Anfield, and this blooming success must be used to ensure that past mistakes do not suffer a reoccurrence.
Indeed, while the Reds made sweeping changes to the midfield last summer, replacing weary legs, it would be a feeble argument to claim change was not… overdue, with Thiago Alcantara (injury-prone) the only previous senior signing to the engine room since 2018.
Liverpool could sign “monster” £30m Thiago replacement
According to reorts, Jurgen Klopp could be interested in revisiting a move for this touted titan.
Moreover, the same claim could be made to the backline, with Ibrahima Konate the last to join permanently since Virgil van Dijk’s transformative signing six years ago.
The attacking ranks, at least, have been augmented with exciting additions over the past years, but with the incredible Mohamed Salah out of contract in 2025 and feverishly pursued by the opulent Saudi Pro League, plans – however grudgingly – must be drawn up.
Liverpool transfer news – Kylian Mbappe
While it might seem ludicrous to even consider, reports continue to link Liverpool with a move for Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe.
Le Parisien claim that the Anfield hierarchy are ‘monitoring’ the 25-year-old’s situation in the French capital, with his contract set for expiry at the end of the season.
Mbappe’s future with PSG has long been a hot topic for debate, and while Real Madrid remain favourites to sign the 2018 World Cup winner, the allure of the Premier League remains and Liverpool are in a good position to advance negotiations, should they so wish.
Valued at £113m by Football Transfers, the France international is one of the world’s most devastating players but bringing him to Liverpool would be of astronomical cost, that said, the interest is there nonetheless.
Kylian Mbappe’s amazing goal record
He was special from the start, with Mbappe bursting onto the scene with AS Monaco as a teenager to win the Ligue 1 title and forge an impressive and high-profile run to the Champions League semi-finals (scoring in both legs against Manchester City) in 2016/17.
But this was merely the beginning, and the 75-cap Les Bleus captain would transfer to PSG on an initial season-long loan in 2017 before sealing the move for £166m the following year.
What has followed is nothing short of extraordinary, and it’s staggering to think that Mbappe still has so much more to offer to the great game, with a departure from his homeland widely agreed to be an auspicious move for the player.
Across 282 appearances for the Ligue 1 champions, Mbappe has plundered 233 goals and 100 assists, heralded as “the best player in European football” by Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti.
As per FBref, Mbappe ranks among the top 3% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 2% for shot-creating actions, the top 1% for progressive carries and touches in the attacking box, the top 5% for progressive passes and the top 4% for successful take-ons per 90.
| Kylian Mbappe: Key Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
| Finishing | Offside awareness |
| Passing | Crossing |
| Ball retention | Defensive contribution |
| Long shots | |
| Dribbling | |
| Key passes | |
| Through balls | |
| *Sourced via WhoScored | |
Unstoppable on his day, Mbappe is an incredible player with a myriad of tools that make him the biggest threat almost every time he takes to the pitch, but with the Champions League remaining the elusive slice of silverware yet to bless his glittering cabinet, a move away from Paris is perhaps prudent, cementing his stature as one of the greats.
While there is talk that Mbappe could be the replacement for Salah, should the Egyptian leave Merseyside this year, this is not quite accurate, with the Frenchman not best utilised on the right, instead flourishing down the left channel – where he can cut inside and wreak devastation, also effective from a centre-forward role.
So, with this in mind, a transfer could have negative consequences for Darwin Nunez, who might find his best attributes shadowed by Mbappe’s array of talents.
Bad news for Darwin Nunez
Liverpool’s club-record signing, Nunez joined from Benfica for a fee rising to £85m in June 2022 after a 34-goal campaign with the Eagles, scoring in both Champions League quarter-final legs against Klopp’s side.
While the Uruguayan is dynamic and disruptive in attacking phases, an incessant thorn in his opponents’ side, his finishing has left much to be desired and a return of 23 goals from 70 outings for the Reds is simply not good enough.
However, goalscoring is only one cog in an intricate mechanism for this explosive star, and while goals shape the discourse for elite strikers, he has been named an “agent of chaos” by journalist Theo Squires and has posted eight goals and eight assists apiece across all competitions this term.
Ranking among the top 4% of forwards for assists, the top 1% for touches in the attacking penalty area and the top 11% for shot-creating actions and progressive carries per 90, the £140k-per-week ace is creative and effective in crafting openings for his peers and himself, an improvement in precision feels like the final piece of the puzzle that would truly place him alongside Europe’s elite.
But Mbappe offers all of this at a higher level, and while signing the PSG phenom would not necessarily preclude Nunez’s chances of success at Anfield, it would make his lack of cutting-edge far more prominent on the Liverpool arrowhead.
Perhaps it is blunt to suggest that Nunez, who remains an immensely popular figure at Anfield, would sink down the pecking order if Mbappe moved to the club – indeed, the £1.19bn-per-week prodigy has tools that could even help the 24-year-old reach new heights.
But then again, with both players centre-forwards who are effective from the left too, it might derail his progress and inhibit him from reaching the apex that Klopp maintains is an attainable proposition.
There’s much to weigh up, but if the acquisition of Mbappe was green-lit as feasible, it’s hard to imagine Klopp and his transfer team wouldn’t be enticed.
Manchester United are thought to be in advanced talks to sign a new defender in a crazy £40m+ transfer, according to one journalist.
Man Utd transfer rumours
The Red Devils, following the announcement of investment from Sir Jim Ratcliffe, could be active during the January transfer window after what has proven to be a poor season under Erik ten Hag so far.
One position where the club may need to strengthen is at the back, with rumours of United being ready to accept an offer for Raphael Varane this month. Should the Frenchman depart, United would be left with just Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans as senior centre-back options, with three of those four actually unavailable at this moment in time.
There have been plenty of defenders linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent weeks, as can be seen below.
| Man Utd’s rumoured centre-back targets for January | Latest update |
|---|---|
| David Alaba | 18th December |
| Fikayo Tomori | 16th December |
| Ronald Araujo | 11th December |
| Jean-Clair Todibo | 10th December |
| Marc Guehi | 9th December |
| Leny Yoro | 8th December |
However, it seems as if one player who is not on that list is emerging as a real target for United, who appear to be making their move behind the scenes.
Man Utd in advanced talks to sign Giorgio Scalvini
Man Utd News relayed an update from journalist Seb Ecrivain Foot of French outlet Les Bons Conceil Du Sports regarding United and Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini.
He claimed that the Red Devils are in advanced talks to sign the player by activating his release clause which is set at £44m.
“Man Utd is not far from completing the acquisition of the talented Italian defender Scalvini by paying £44 million. Negotiations are at an advanced stage, with the club ready to fulfill the release clause of the 20-year-old nugget.”
This comes after reports suggested a deal will require a “crazy” offer of at least €50m (£43m) from United to sign Scalvini, and it looks as if that is on course to being completed, should these latest claims prove accurate.
Scalvini is a right-footed centre-back who can also play as a holding midfielder if needed and appears to be going from strength to strength, with his Transfermarkt valuation at a career-high €40m. The 20-year-old already has seven senior caps to his name for Italy and 75 appearances under his belt for Atalanta after progressing through the academy. (Giorgio Scalvini stats – Transfermarkt)
| Giorgio Scalvini stats in 2023/24 – Serie A (SofaScore) | |
| Tackles per game | 2.1 |
| Interceptions per game | 2.1 |
| Clean sheets | 4 |
| Balls recovered per game | 5.6 |
| Clearances per game | 2.4 |
He appears to be a future star. For example, football talent scout Jacek Kulig has described his style of play as ‘complete, elegant and dominant centre-back – comfortable to play as a RCB and LCB – modern defender, who combines strength with good technique and passing – perfect mix of a pure defender and ball-playing defender’.
Kulig also said that strengths of the defender are his pace, aerial duels, marking, athleticism, tackling and intercepting, anticipation, passing, technique and his ability to read the game, so he could turn into the complete package at Old Trafford.
Therefore, a winter window move could prove to be a shrewd one by the Red Devils, and by the looks of things, a transfer could be progressing.
This £26m-rated upgrade could be just what Dyche needs to get Everton firing.
Following a four-game winning run, Everton are now on a four-match losing streak and are dangerously sitting just one point above the relegation zone, having initially done so well to climb out of the bottom three in the Premier League after receiving a ten-point deduction for breaching FFP regulations back in November.
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