Liverpool owner John Henry 'holds talks' over possible $1bn deal with Saudi Arabia PIF

Liverpool's ownership group FSG is part of a consortium that has invested in the PGA Golf Tour after an opportunity created by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund-backed LIV Golf.

A merger has been mooted between the PGA, the DP World Tour and LIV but an agreement has still to be reached. And according to ESPN , FSG chief John W Henry — who is Liverpool FC's principal owner — has been in talks this week over a deal.

Legendary golfer Tiger Woods and former Masters winner Adam Scot have also been involved in recent New York meetings, it is reported. Talks were "scheduled to last multiple days" with the Saudi PIF potentially putting in around $1bn of investment.

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However, the meetings between the PGA Tour and the PIF were criticized by the 9/11 Justice group. The group of 9/11 survivors, first responders and family members of those killed in the 2001 attacks have accused the Saudi Arabian government of supporting the terrorists.

"Tomorrow, we commemorate the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, yet here we are today, in New York City, down the street from Ground Zero, and the PGA Tour and Tiger Woods are negotiating with them," 9/11 Justice president Brett Eagleson said in a statement.

"As has been confirmed in the last few weeks by CBS reporting, the Saudi Arabian government played a role in the horrific attacks of 9/11. It is disgusting, unacceptable, and incredibly painful that the Tour and Woods would do this — especially now."

FSG has owned Liverpool since 2010 and Henry also owns the MLB side the Boston Red Sox and NHL outfit the Pittsburgh Penguins. The group also holds a 50 per cent stake in NASCAR’s RFK Racing. The golf project, in which Rory McIlroy is also involved, is another element of an extension portfolio stretching across multiple sports.

Liverpool.com says: It is not going to impact Liverpool FC directly but every deal that FSG does is interesting to keep an eye on. The potential golf merger has gone on in the background for a while now but it sounds like some sort of deal could be getting closer.