According to France Bleu radio, Fenway Sports Group is currently in discussions with Ligue 2 club Bordeaux regarding a full acquisition. Negotiations between the two parties are reportedly progressing smoothly.
The controlling entity behind Fenway Sports Group, John Henry, who also owns Premier League club Liverpool, is the leading contender to acquire Bordeaux, a six-time Ligue 1 champion. The current owner of Bordeaux is Gerard Lopez, a Luxembourg-born Spanish businessman. Once a dominant force, Bordeaux has spent three consecutive seasons in Ligue 2. Now, due to financial difficulties, there’s a possibility they could be administratively relegated to the third tier of French football.
This Tuesday, representatives from Bordeaux met with the Director of the French Professional Football League. This organization acts as the financial watchdog for French football, providing financial guarantees and support to Ligue 2 clubs. It’s reported that two executives from Fenway Sports Group, along with a legal advisor, made the trip from Boston specifically for this meeting to express their intentions to acquire the club.
The radio station further noted that Fenway Sports Group’s majority shareholder, John Henry, was involved in the meeting. The group’s technical director, Mike Ward, toured Bordeaux’s facilities, training ground, and main stadium. Reports indicate that the negotiations have been going very well. Coincidentally, Bordeaux’s current head coach, Xabi Alonso, had a long-standing affiliation with Liverpool.