Journalist dismisses FSG links to Toulouse

Fenway Sports Group has confirmed that they, led by Michael Edwards, have plans to buy into a new club in addition to Liverpool FC, and then the speculation has begun regarding which club they will land on.

Football Insider was among those who claimed earlier this week that FSG are already in talks with Toulouse about a takeover. The French club, against whom Liverpool played in the Europa League this season, is interesting for several reasons.

First and foremost, they are owned by RedBird Capital, which in turn owns eleven percent of the shares in FSG. Secondly, they are the size that FSG is probably looking for when buying their next football club – not big enough to participate in European tournaments regularly, but they have a goal to stabilize in Ligue 1. Under RedBird’s ownership, they will also pursue a sustainable model that FSG can vouch for.

But that acquisition is not going to happen, if we are to believe the Liverpool Echo’s expert on football economics, Dave Powell, who usually has good sources on what is going on in FSG. He writes that Toulouse is not on the list of relevant clubs.

“FSG is not going to make a quick decision when it comes to which club they want to buy, and there are many points to consider when choosing their club – from geography to demographics in the local area, from the supporters’ opinion to how exciting the squad looks , and a number of other things. Therefore, there will be no rush.”

Portugal or France?

FSG has previously shown an interest in securing a Brazilian football club, but it should no longer be as relevant. South America should not be completely out of the question, but Powell writes, as The Athletic did earlier in the week, that France and Portugal are sailing up as relevant countries. Belgium has also been mentioned as an outsider.

“France is a known route for African talent to come to European football, while Portugal has had a lot of success in bringing in players from Brazil, Argentina and others. The Netherlands and Belgium have also proven to be good markets for player development,” writes Powell.

Among other things, Brighton has benefited from the fact that owner Tony Bloom also has Union Saint-Gilloise from Belgium in his portfolio. Kaoru Mitoma was allowed to develop for a year there before he came to the Premier League and made life miserable for many right-backs.

Manchester City has Spanish Girona as a partner in the City Football Group. The great talent Savio has impressed for the surprise team this season and will be ready for Pep Guardiola’s team in the summer.