The New York Post are today reporting that Liverpool's principal owner John Henry is willing to sell Liverpool, and has been running what the outlet term a "passive sales process". Sources tell the Post that Henry is open to offers, and will sell the club at the right price.
Henry - who is also the owner of the Boston Red Sox, who recently won 2018's World Series - acquired Liverpool in 2010 at the knockdown price of $477 million, after a controversial sales process which was described by ousted co-owner Tom Hicks as an "epic swindle".
Reports broke in August that Sheik Khaled Bin Zayed Al Nahayan, whose family governs Abu Dhabi, made an unsuccessful approach to buy Liverpool in late 2017 and into early 2018 with a Chinese partner, reportedly offering £1.9 billion for the club. The publication of that report was followed by a denial from Fenway Sports Group that the club is for sale.
This latest report in the Post disputes that claim.
Forbes recently valued Liverpool at £1.46 billion, meaning that if Henry does choose to sell, he will reap an enormous return on the initial investment. While Liverpool have won just a League Cup under Henry, the explosion in the value of Premier League TV rights and Jurgen Klopp's establishing the club in the Champions League has meant the club has become among the most valuable in the world.
If a sale does go ahead, among those who could profit is LeBron James - he owns a 2% stake in the club.
UPDATE
A spokesperson for Liverpool has now come out and denied the report, stating that the story is 'unfounded speculation':
As loathed as we are to give a story of this nature a meaningful response, on behalf of the club’s ownership I can completely dismiss this unfounded speculation.
To repeat once again, the club is not for sale, including any ‘quiet process’ or anything of that nature.
