In recent years, multi-club ownership groups have begun to dominate European soccer. Examples like the City Football Group, INEOS Group, BlueCo and Fenway Sports Group (FSG) -owners of Liverpool FC– illustrate how major conglomerates are placing multiple clubs under one umbrella.
Although UEFA has implemented strict regulations against multi-club ownership within European competitions, that hasn’t stopped new groups from seeking to expand their soccer portfolios.
Now, Fenway Sports Group (FSG) is reportedly looking to grow its soccer presence. While the group already owns major sports franchises like the Boston Red Sox (MLB) and the Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL), Liverpool remains its only football club. That could soon change, as FSG is now targeting a team in Spain: Getafe CF.
According to The Athletic, FSG is preparing a £100 million bid to acquire Getafe and add it to its growing sports portfolio. The La Liga side finished 13th in the most recent league campaign and has spent 21 of the last 22 seasons in Spain’s top division.
Lower bid than other Liverpool moves
Interestingly, the offer for Getafe is less than what Liverpool recently spent on German star Florian Wirtz, a deal reportedly worth £116 million, with an initial payment of £100 million. It’s also below what the club is rumored to be willing to pay for striker Alexander Isak, with offers estimated between £120 million and £130 million.
Liverpool paid £116 million (more than $150 million) for Florian Wirtz this summer.
Getafe denies interest in selling — But is negotiating privately
Despite public denials, sources from The Athletic report that Getafe president Ángel Torres has quietly been open to a potential sale for years. Although he’s claimed the club is not for sale, insiders suggest otherwise.
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Originally, Torres was seeking €210 million (roughly £160 million) to part ways with the club, but is now said to be more receptive to FSG’s valuation. That said, he is in no rush to sell, as one of his main objectives remains renovating Getafe’s stadium, the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez, by 2028.
FSG’s long-term multi-club strategy
Since appointing former Premier League sporting director Michael Edwards as FSG’s CEO of Soccer in March 2024, the group has been actively pursuing the acquisition of new clubs across multiple leagues. Over the last 18 months, FSG has held talks with clubs in Brazil, France, and Spain, including Girondins de Bordeaux and Málaga, though none have resulted in a deal.
With Liverpool serving as the cornerstone, FSG is expected to expand its reach in global football sooner rather than later. Whether Getafe will ultimately join their portfolio remains to be seen—but signs point to increasing momentum behind the scenes.
