Dubai International to make bid for Liverpool FC

[Tom]

Experience in running sports franchises. I know both DIC and Hicks also do in varying degrees, but maybe its abou personalities. Middle eastern gentlemen and George W's mate woultnd perhaps make good bedfellows!! Could all be **** of course, thats more likely. Anyway, nothing to waoory about, papers talking **** for months now!!!

Yeah agree Steve, that Klinsmann rumour, jeez the press must think we're muppets

Bascombe as well, he was the first to come out with this crap. Yanks to sack rafa, DIC interested in the club again. Must be living in a fantasy world

[Tom]

This is on the BBC website guys. Statement by G&H


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...ol/7194876.stm

of course they're denying it.
1) they're trying to secure a loan.
2) they trying to screw a potential new buyer for as much as possible.

[Guest]

of course they're denying it.
1) they're trying to secure a loan.
2) they trying to screw a potential new buyer for as much as possible.

I think it will be resolved sooner rather than later. i.e DIC coming in and these/is muppet/s to **** off.

[Slinky Skills]

I think it will be resolved sooner rather than later. i.e DIC coming in and these/is muppet/s to **** off.

I hope so.

[bazza76]

This is on the BBC website guys. Statement by G&H


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...ol/7194876.stm

You would think that would be the first thing they would have to say when cornered.
I think our chance of seeing a takeover are about a 2-1 shot.

[bazza76]

of course they're denying it.
1) they're trying to secure a loan.
2) they trying to screw a potential new buyer for as much as possible.

Have you been told something by someone reliable Tom? Or is this a hunch?

[Tom]

Please delete mods if already posted. Sporting life.

http://www.sportinglife.com/football...Nightlead.html

ESCAPE ROUTE OPENS UP FOR HICKS

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks could be on the brink of being offered a way out of the troubled club.

A year ago this month Dubai International Capital were stunned by the last-minute failure of their bid to take control of the club but it is believed they are now set to try to buy the American's 50% stake in Anfield.

And DIC made no attempt to play down speculation on Thursday when a spokesman said: "We do not comment on such things, we have nothing to say on this."

But as the turmoil over the ownership of Liverpool by Hicks and fellow American George Gillett continues it has become clear DIC have never given up hope of owning the club, with lifelong fan and founder and chairman of DIC Sameer al-Ansari believed to be at the forefront of new moves.

It is the 44-year-old Loughborough University-educated financier who was the prime mover in last January's failed bid for the club, working on behalf of the real power behind DIC Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum.

A year ago then-chairman David Moores changed his mind at the last minute with DIC expecting to clinch their deal, and opted instead to sell to the Americans.

A board meeting at a London Docklands hotel hours before last January's match at West Ham signalled the change of heart.

But Al-Ansari has maintained close links with Liverpool, and in particular chief executive Rick Parry, and still attends matches regularly with his family.

And it is understood he has persuaded Sheikh Mohammed to become involved in a second bid.

Al-Ansari has also recently been linked with Sir Richard Branson's move to take over Northern Rock.

His Liverpool devotion was underlined recently when he said: "It took me two weeks to get over that (the failed bid), but it didn't dent my passion, I still go to every match when I am here."

The Liverpool Echo, in a report on Thursday, maintain an offer for Hicks' shares is being prepared and may even have been agreed in principle.

It was Gillett who brought Hicks on board last year when he did not have enough money to mount a solo bid for the club. Exactly where it would leave Gillett if DIC did buy into the club is open to doubt.

But the two Americans have discovered they have lost the backing of the club's supporters in recent weeks, compounded by the shocked outcry following Hicks' confirmation the pair had met Jurgen Klinsmann and offered him boss Rafael Benitez's job.

Hicks and Gillett have to reach an agreement with the Royal Bank of Scotland within six weeks to refinance the loan they took out to buy the club in the first place.

And there is major opposition from within the Liverpool board, believed to come from Moores and Parry, to any move that will see the club take on some of the debt from the loan.

Hicks could accept the bid and get out now with a profit, or continue with the refinancing plans, believed to be a matter of days from completion.

But with Liverpool fans preparing further demonstrations against the Americans at Monday's home match with Aston Villa, Hicks and Gillett could decide that their problems will only escalate if they continue to control the club from their bases in Dallas and Montreal.

However, the fact is that plans for the new stadium have still to be agreed a year after the takeover and funds to allow Benitez to compete with Manchester United and Chelsea have not been made available.

Hicks recently said he did not want to sell his shares but the reaction to his and Gillett's tenure this week from the fans could well see a change of heart.

[Vermilion]

When h&g announced tonight that all this was RUBBISH i was gutted, but people keep coming up with information to the contrary, from whatever source, but the thing that stands out is that there is NO denial from DIC, if they were'nt interested they would say i believe, no real gain for them to do otherwise unless they enjoy seeing Liverpool fans suffer. Where as Hick's has, he think's, lot's to gain from playing hardball $$$$ before any bid takes place. IMO that is.

[Guest]

You would think that would be the first thing they would have to say when cornered.
I think our chance of seeing a takeover are about a 2-1 shot.

And they need to be preparing an escape route. By that I mean, Hicks surely wouldn't want to be deemed a failure and a muppet more than what he already is. They're preparing the terrain and the tide is against them.

RBS will put pressure for them to cash in.

[marcus50bucks]

of course they're denying it.
1) they're trying to secure a loan.
2) they trying to screw a potential new buyer for as much as possible.

I think we're stuck with this guys.

[Tom]

Have you been told something by someone reliable Tom? Or is this a hunch?

You ever played poker mate?

[Guest]

Please delete mods if already posted. Sporting life.

And for that fact, I think Bascombe has seen that all over. Remember that article in the summer. He foresaw everything.

And he was even called a cunt here.

[Tom]

Have you been told something by someone reliable Tom? Or is this a hunch?

As I've said on here before, I was told by a former finance officer of the club that there are almost continuous negotiations between the club and DIC. That doesn't guarantee that the deal will go through though.

[bazza76]

And they need to be preparing an escape route. By that I mean, Hicks surely wouldn't want to be deemed a failure and a muppet more than what he already is. They're preparing the terrain and the tide is against them.

RBS will put pressure for them to cash in.

I hope so.
I think we the fans are pivotal in all of this too obviously, if we can make ourselves heard properly, make sure the yanks dont feel welcome. It will increase the likelyhood of them walking.
Although, at a guess, I would say Hicks is an extreemly proud man, and will hate to admit defeat after being bragging about us all over the states to anyone who would listen, but I guess, money talks too.
He was talking recently about trying to buy a $1bn business in the states.

[Tom]

You're right, the fans are the key to this. They can really make a difference. Having the RTK campaign come out with that ****ing brilliant statement also helps enourmously.