Liverpool owners FSG ARE in talks to sell the club after a US-based buyer approached Anfield chiefs

Liverpool are in talks with a US-based buyer interested in a full takeover of the club, two sources have told Mail on Sunday.

It is clear that owners Fenway Sports Group have been involved in secret talks for several weeks after an approximation was made for the Anfield giants.

FSG hired bankers Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley to help them sell the club after the approach was made. Sources have reported that additional potential buyers have since registered their interest.

Liverpool – led by owner John Henry – is in talks with US buyers to sell the club for £2.7bn

Some reports have suggested Liverpool’s price tag could be as much as £4bn, not least because Roman Abramovich sold Chelsea for £2.5bn, and Liverpool is seen as a much bigger global brand.

But this paper can reveal that people close to negotiations are claiming that FSG would be ready to sell for £2.7bn. That would still be a huge gain on the £300 million they paid in 2010, even if we factor in a few hundred million pounds of investment in stadium expansion and training ground development.

The £4bn figure was encouraged by those close to the sale process in the hope that bidders would come up with offers between £3bn and £3.5bn and believe they have a bargain at that price.

Clearly Liverpool came to their £2.7bn figure based on Chelsea’s selling price at five times their £500million annual turnover.

Liverpool’s next financial figures, for 2021-22 and coming soon, will show turnover of around £600million for the past season. Five times that figure is £3 billion, but there is an acceptance at FSG that it may not be realized. On the other hand, if several credible bidders come forward, an auction can drive up the final bid.

The sale process was intensified last week after FSG made a statement that they were receiving regular interest “from third parties wishing to become shareholders in Liverpool”.

They added: “FSG has previously said that under the right terms we would consider new shareholders if it was in the best interests of Liverpool as a club.”

Fenway hopes the statement will wash away further interest to encourage a bidding war. However, they do not intend to sell to a buyer who is considered unethical.

While the identity of the bidder remains a mystery, LA Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and Boston Celtics owner Steve Pagliuca have been linked with the club. The Ricketts family who withdrew on the last hour of the Chelsea bid would not be interested in Liverpool.

Meanwhile, Dubai International Capital could “look at a deal” to buy the club, according to reports in the Middle East. DIC were unable to buy the club in 2007 after a £312 million bid.