Gillett back in the race.

[AFII]

Gillett raises stakes in fight for Liverpool

George Gillett is set to re-open talks with Liverpool and top the bid from Dubai International Capital to take over the club.

The owner of the Montreal Canadiens ice hockey team had appeared to lose out to DIC, the investment arm of the family of Dubai ruler Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Even though the £450million package Gillett proposed equalled that from DIC, Liverpool were worried about the level of debt he would take on to finance the deal.

Another concern was that he favoured a shared stadium with Everton. Majority shareholder David Moores wants Liverpool to proceed with plans for their own 61,000-seater ground.

DIC have offered £4,500 a share, valuing the club at £157.5m and the 51.8 per cent stake of Moores at £79m. They also propose to write off debts of around £80m. Gillett is ready to offer £5,000 a share — valuing the club at £175m and the Moores holding at £88m.

Gillett is now likely be given the right to undertake due diligence, which DIC have been conducting since their bid was made public last month.

Souness still hunting Wolves

Graeme Souness is refusing to admit defeat in his bid to buy Wolves. Souness had a £20million bid rejected on Thursday but has since been in talks with his partners in the consortium and will release a statement later this week.

Delaney's Villa fears

Aston Villa defender Mark Delaney, 30, fears his career at the club is over after being told he will be out for up to six months following knee surgery.

Delaney, out of contract in the summer, said: "It looks as if I’ve kicked my last ball for Villa. The surgeon said there is no guarantee that I’ll be able to play at the highest level. He has done everything in his power to help me continue playing."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...n_page_id=1779

[Red Chilli]

Say no to groundshare

[wildman]

I hope not, this needs sorting asap and I would prefer DIC.

[Shaggy]

Gillett my arse. We're so far down the road with DIC, and both parties are (I assume) desperate for the deal to go through...so why the **** would we go back to square one with Gillett and his crew?

[AFII]

Deleted.

[Chris]

No quotes, Bascombe has said we have no intention of dealing with him, its in a paper that his been filled with negative lies since we've been negotiating with DIC. And I could go on all night..........but I wont bore you all

[Morph]

I don't think we can say no to Gillett if we accept the bid from DIC.

As soon as Moores accept the bid the other ones interested will get some time to top the bid and if someone do that then we must sell to the highest bidder.

I think that's the rules anyway but I'm not 100% sure.

That's what happened at Villa.

Surely Moores can sell 'his' club to whoever he wants

[publiusscipio]

"It looks as if I’ve kicked my last ball for Villa." said Delaney

[AFII]

Surely Moores can sell 'his' club to whoever he wants

I deleted my post because I think the above rules would only apply if someone bought more than just Moores 51%. Ellis owned more than 51% of Aston Villa.

Moores could probably sell to anyone he wants.

[Red Chilli]

"It looks as if I’ve kicked my last ball for Villa." said Delaney

[ronan]

very late to come back in
was it the mirror?
cant see what morgan if thats what your innsinuating would have to gain from an article like that

[kurtangle01]

DIC have "exclusive rights" to complete due dilligence according to statements released at the time so until they then decide that it's a no goer Gillett can't do a thing. The story is rubbish IMHO.

[kurtangle01]

And another story surfaces. There might be something in this.

Gillett Jnr set to make new Liverpool bid and delay DIC takeover By Andy Hunter
Published: 22 January 2007
Dubai International Capital will be unable to complete their £450m takeover of Liverpool before the close of the transfer window after the American sports tycoon George Gillett Jnr last night re-emerged as a rival contender for control of the Anfield club.

Gillett Jnr, the billionaire former owner of the Harlem Globetrotters and current owner of the Montreal Canadians ice hockey team, was among several bidders rejected by the Liverpool board before they reached agreement with the investment arm of the Dubai government on a deal that would see DIC purchase majority control for around £155m, assume £80m of debt and fund a new 60,000-seater stadium close to the club's existing Anfield home.

Both Liverpool and DIC representatives, who were present at Saturday's Premiership defeat of Chelsea, had hoped to conclude the deal this month to release transfer funds for the manager, Rafael Benitez, and to enable work on the new stadium to start immediately. But those plans were placed on hold last night when Gillett informed Liverpool he was ready to make an increased bid for the club.

Though Liverpool's chairman and majority shareholder, David Moores, has agreed terms with DIC, Gillett is entitled by company law to register a rival bid once the Dubai group have completed due diligence, the period that grants a business exclusive access to the club's books. The Premiership club are also bound by company law to allow the 68-year-old the same period of due diligence that they gave to DIC, which will delay any takeover for at least another month.

Gillett is believed to be willing to pay £5,000 per share for Liverpool, which would value the club at £170m and £15m higher than the Dubai offer, but part of the attraction in the DIC bid for Moores is the offer of a life president's role for him once they take over, and the continuation of Rick Parry as chief executive.

Gillett, by contrast, would prefer his own people in the boardroom and has favoured sharing a new stadium with Everton. Moores, whose 51.6 per cent stake in the club means he can veto any offer, opposes such conditions.

[Jin]

please **** OFF! What a way to endear yourself to the club and its fans. groundshare? what next, announcing he wants The Sun as our kit sponsors? Clueless

[lfc4ever]

Gillett, by contrast, would prefer his own people in the boardroom and has favoured sharing a new stadium with Everton. Moores, whose 51.6 per cent stake in the club means he can veto any offer, opposes such conditions.

Which will do me.