CHINESE GOVERNMENT LINKED WITH MOVE TO BUY LIVERPOOL
Baku, August 5 (AZERTAC). The competition to buy Liverpool has intensified amid further reports that the Chinese Government could launch a takeover bid for the club.
Kenny Huang, who heads QSL Sports Ltd, which is backed by a state-owned investment fund, admitted his interest but said no formal bid had been made.
On Wednesday, Syrian businessman Yahya Kirdi said his consortium were in the “final stage of negotiation”.
It is understood as many as six rival bids were submitted last week.
Current owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks put the club on the market in April, with Liverpool`s main creditor, Royal Bank of Scotland, owed about £237m.
Martin Broughton was brought in as chairman to oversee the sale process and along with investment bank Barclays Capital, who are leading the sale, he will elect a preferred bidder by the end of next week.
Hong Kong-based investor Huang admitted his interest on Wednesday and is thought to value the club at about £325m, however, he confirmed he had not made a formal offer.
A statement from Huang`s PR agency read: “Mr Huang would like to emphasise that he has registered interest in investing in Liverpool FC but has made no formal bid.”
Huang`s bid is reportedly being backed by the China Investment Corporation (CIC), an investment arm of the Chinese Government which owns a stake in Canary Wharf.
Kirdi`s group of Canadian and Middle East investors claims it has agreed terms with Gillett and Hicks and is negotiating a purchase agreement with the Americans.
Kirdi, who is now a Canadian resident and represents the Canadian-based group of investors, said: “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.”
Kirdi promised that if the consortium was successful in its bid, money would be made available to Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson.
He added: “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.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has distanced himself from the off-field matters saying: “I don`t get involved, I leave it to the people who know what they are doing.”
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