Dubai International to make bid for Liverpool FC

[Guest]

Having given some thought to what could have motivated Hicks' going public about Klinnsman, I believe the most likely explanation is that he was trying to force Gillett's hand.

By making the fans turn on them both, Hicks may have attempted to destroy any emotional investment Gillett had made and leave him with only a financial interest in the club.

At this stage, it would be ridiculous for either Hicks or Gillett to admit any division as that would play straight into DIC's hands. But the latest statements coming from the Hicks camp do have the effect of calling George's bluff.

It seems as though DIC may be already attempting to exploit the reported American's split with a divide-and-conquer strategy.

Interesting.

[Armchairkopite]

I'll buy that.

[Sarb]

It's bad though. I've just read on the Telegraph website that Gillett may not go for the DIC deal and take the loan instead. If as is reported they load the debt on the club and we don't even have a new stadium then we're messed up as there is no way we'll be able to repay the loans. We just don't generate enough money to do it

The situation is grave IMO and we need to continue the protests at the Villa game. We need DIC or someone else to save us before it's too late

[tomasjj]

I doubt that.
Nice theory and all, but a bit too many factors in there for me.

He was probably just responding to the Klinsmann rumours, and at the same time trying to get Rafa out.

[tomasjj]

It's bad though. I've just read on the Telegraph website that Gillett may not go for the DIC deal and take the loan instead. If as is reported they load the debt on the club and we don't even have a new stadium then we're messed up as there is no way we'll be able to repay the loans. We just don't generate enough money to do it

The situation is grave IMO and we need to continue the protests at the Villa game. We need DIC or someone else to save us before it's too late

If the refinance doesn't include the money for starting the stadium project,as I saw reported somewhere, that indicates that they are offski pretty soon anyway. Might just take a bit more time - longer than their current financial deadline at the end of Feb.

[Roboklopp]

Having given some thought to what could have motivated Hicks' going public about Klinnsman, I believe the most likely explanation is that he was trying to force Gillett's hand.

By making the fans turn on them both, Hicks may have attempted to destroy any emotional investment Gillett had made and leave him with only a financial interest in the club.

At this stage, it would be ridiculous for either Hicks or Gillett to admit any division as that would play straight into DIC's hands. But the latest statements coming from the Hicks camp do have the effect of calling George's bluff.

It seems as though DIC may be already attempting to exploit the reported American's split with a divide-and-conquer strategy.

To what puropse/gain?

[Alpha]

To what puropse/gain?

Well, if the promise to the fans is stopping Gillett from signing up to the new re-financing deal, sabotaging that relationship could have the desired effect.

[bobbyfallon]

if they get this loan can DIC still make a bid or is it hinging on this???

[Morten_nogamst_Pedersen]

They could still sell...

[kopdan]

Does Hicks really believe the fans still want him?

Is that enough for him to think, "you know what, **** this, I could invest in that big media giant Koptalk or something."

[The_weatherman]

I have a gut feeling that DIC won't be able to buy into the club, Hicks will have his way....have we ever been that lucky? Things always have to be difficult with this club

[Roboklopp]

Well, if the promise to the fans is stopping Gillett from signing up to the new re-financing deal, sabotaging that relationship could have the desired effect.

Aye I see. Which means we shouldnt hassle Foster by that logic.

I dunno, I just want both the cocksuckers out for good & now.

[Roboklopp]

Does Hicks really believe the fans still want him?

Is that enough for him to think, "you know what, **** this, I could invest in that big media giant Koptalk or something."

What does FatCunt say about all of this DIC stuff anyway?

[Pedenj]

Liverpool ponder move to buy out Hicks


Gillett considers a future without his co-owner

Americans fall out over plans for re-financing

Andy Hunter
Friday January 18, 2008
The Guardian

George Gillett and Tom Hicks
George Gillett is believed to have doubts about his involvement at Anfield with his fellow American. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA


Liverpool's co-owner George Gillett will spend the next few days deciding whether to support a plan to buy out his partner Tom Hicks or throw his weight behind a refinancing package that would strengthen Hicks's hold on the club.

Gillett and his co-chairman Hicks have almost finalised terms on a £350m loan that would allow them to repay money borrowed for their £218.9m takeover, repay loans acquired to sign players last summer and commence work on their revised plans for a new stadium. The deal, with the Royal Bank of Scotland and US investment firm Wachovia, could be completed early next week providing the two Americans sign the terms on offer.

Article continues
After a period of instability unprecedented in Liverpool's recent history, Gillett is understood to have grave misgivings over his continued involvement with Hicks, the man he brought on board to secure the takeover last February but who has proved far from the silent partner he originally envisaged. A fresh dilemma for Gillett is that Dubai International Capital, the investment arm of the Dubai government, is now prepared to provide him with the financial backing to make an offer for Hicks's 50% stake in Liverpool.

DIC lost out in the pursuit of the former chairman David Moores' majority shareholding last February when its failure to meet agreed deadlines for the takeover enabled the Americans to succeed with a late and more lucrative bid. Though it withdrew acrimoniously from negotiations DIC has maintained its interest and, having baulked at a £150m asking price for a 15% stake last October, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum's investment company now hopes to capitalise on the disunity in the hierarchy.

DIC is willing to join forces with Gillett in an attempt to persuade Hicks to sell his interest in Liverpool for a substantial profit. A source confirmed yesterday that a deal has been drawn up in principle and will be presented to the Americans before they put their signatures to the £350m loan. "It is a very delicate situation but DIC has reignited its interest," said the source. "The terms of the offer, which will be made to Tom Hicks, have been agreed and DIC are hopeful they will be finally be able to invest in Liverpool."

Major obstacles remain in the way of DIC gaining a financial interest in Liverpool, however, not least Hicks's insistence that he has no intention of selling up. There is also doubt over Gillett's determination to attempt to oust his business partner by agreeing terms with DIC. Gillett and Hicks both have an option to purchase the other's stake in Liverpool, although the former would require backing from Dubai to achieve that goal.

Hicks, owner of the Texas Rangers baseball franchise and the Dallas Stars ice hockey team, created further problems for the American regime this week with the revelation that both he and Gillett, owner of the Montreal Canadiens ice hockey franchise, had approached Jürgen Klinsmann last November as "an insurance policy" against the possible departure of the Liverpool manager, Rafael Benítez.

What was an attempt by the Texan to draw a line under the uncertainty surrounding the future of Benítez has proved hugely embarrassing for Gillett, who is disturbed by the furious reaction among Liverpool supporters it provoked, but it is how much of the £350m loan should be placed on to the club's books that is the fundamental problem.

Both Moores, who became honorary life president of Liverpool under the terms of the takeover, and the chief executive, Rick Parry, have blocked attempts to load all of the debt on to the club amid concerns at annual interest payments of £30m. Under the terms of the loan it is anticipated half will be burdened on the club and the rest secured against Kop Holdings, Gillett and Hicks's parent company, although that still represents a U-turn on their promise to use their own funds and not to adopt the Glazers' handling of Manchester United. The Americans will still require a further £300m loan at a later date to complete work on a proposed new stadium.

Gillett could exert pressure on Hicks to sell next week by refusing to commit to the refinancing package. Should Gillett agree to the loan, and sources yesterday insisted that he remains undecided, then Hicks - the driving force behind the stadium and the biggest threat to Benítez - will be empowered in his plans to bring the development to fruition in 2011 when he can demand a higher price for his stake.

[Lecter]

Having given some thought to what could have motivated Hicks' going public about Klinnsman, I believe the most likely explanation is that he was trying to force Gillett's hand.

By making the fans turn on them both, Hicks may have attempted to destroy any emotional investment Gillett had made and leave him with only a financial interest in the club.

At this stage, it would be ridiculous for either Hicks or Gillett to admit any division as that would play straight into DIC's hands. But the latest statements coming from the Hicks camp do have the effect of calling George's bluff.

It seems as though DIC may be already attempting to exploit the reported American's split with a divide-and-conquer strategy.