Group close to buying Liverpool
Yahya Kirdi, the representative of a group of investors bidding to take over Liverpool, has revealed his consortium is in the “final stage of negotiation” over the purchase of the English Premier League club.
The group has said it has agreed terms with American co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks and is finalising the details of the sale with the duo. The group’s bid was among several submitted last week, but the Canadian and Middle East investment group has emerged as the front-runner to buy the Reds.
The price of the purchase, plans to wipe out the club’s bank debt and funding for a new stadium to replace Anfield have all been discussed and agreed upon by both parties.
Syrian businessman Kirdi, who is now a resident of Canada, promised that Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson will have funds to sign new players should his group purchase the club. He told reporters that: "Agreement has been reached on all major terms including the purchase price, repayment of the existing bank debt and financing of a new stadium in Liverpool's Stanley Park. A formal purchase agreement between the parties is in the final stage of negotiation. With additional money to improve the squad and financing in place to build the new stadium, LFC will be on a solid foundation to compete in the Premiership and in Europe for years to come."
Broker backs out
Former Wall Street broker Kenny Huang had been in talks with representatives from the Royal Bank of Scotland – which is owed around £237m by the club – but the head of Hong Kong-based investment company QSL Sports Ltd made no formal bid. The identities of the other parties who have made a bid have not been made public.
After placing the club up for sale in April, Hicks and Gillett brought in Martin Broughton as chairman to oversee the process. All three are hoping the club can be sold before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
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