DIC latest - the largely wild speculation thread

[AFII]

*coughBascombecough*

Got the dreaded Bascombe flu?

[Alpha]

So what is it then:

2-3 days, or,
2 weeks, or,
next month, or,
some other indeterminate time?

It seems all we can say for sure is that Rashid and Chris Bascunt haven't got anything right yet.

In fairness to Bascombe, Judas ****ehawk that he is, he was the one writing about disarray in the boardroom leaving the rest of us to laugh it off and if I remember rightly, it was he who first confirmed that DIC were involved in takeover talks with G&H.

[El Jefecito]

In fairness to Bascombe, Judas ****ehawk that he is, he was the one writing about disarray in the boardroom leaving the rest of us to laugh it off and if I remember rightly, it was he who first confirmed that DIC were involved in takeover talks with G&H.

Bascunt still said it was 2-3 days away about 6-8 weeks ago. He knows nothing he's like the rest of us doing 2+2=5

As was pointed out elsewhere if bascunt still has sources they are @ LFC. LFC I'm sure know nothing about the details of what is going on between Hicks and DIC. Why would they?

[wavydavy]

An air of inevitability does seem too be prevailing though doesn't it?

[Alpha]

Bascunt still said it was 2-3 days away about 6-8 weeks ago. He knows nothing he's like the rest of us doing 2+2=5

As was pointed out elsewhere if bascunt still has sources they are @ LFC. LFC I'm sure know nothing about the details of what is going on between Hicks and DIC. Why would they?

It seems you are right that nobody would know the details of the Hicks and DIC talks. That would be why nobody can guage the timescale. But it is apparent that there are, at least, talks. And like it or not, Bascombe's name was among that first wave of reports informing us of such.

[El Jefecito]

It seems you are right that nobody would know the details of the Hicks and DIC talks. That would be why nobody can guage the timescale. But it is apparent that there are, at least, talks. And like it or not, Bascombe's name was among that first wave of reports informing us of such.

True, it's clear that he is not getting any details other than the whispers of those only incidentally involved. He's provided nothing solid, and anything specific has been proven wrong.

[sinbad]

DIC granted due diligence, but Hicks still hanging on
Posted on February 25th, 2008 by Jim Boardman

Oliver Kay of The Times is reporting tonight, under the headline Liverpool’s American owners set to sell, that Liverpool’s co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr have granted Dubai International Capital permission to inspect the club’s books. But the headline is a little misleading, giving the impression of an imminent sale. In fact talks are still some way from being complete, as Kay’s article actually explains.

According to Kay, DIC are looking at the books “with a view to making an official takeover bid next month.” However Kay also repeats what has been reported heavily of late - that Hicks is reluctant to sell up completely. Kay writes that Hicks “plans to retain some of his shares and some of his influence at Anfield for the immediate future,” but says that “face-to-face discussions with DIC officials in Dubai and, more significantly, London last week have brought a deal closer.”

Kay reports that his sources in the US have “indicated that they are ready to demonstrate their willingness to sell by granting a period of due diligence to DIC.”

Kay also confirms what we’ve already heard, that Gillett’s half-share is likely to be sold by the middle of next month. What is still cloudy is exactly how the club’s ownership will be split at that stage. Gillett will be out of the picture of course, but the Hicks camp were maintaining very recently that their stake wasn’t up for sale. The question really was who would be buying the Gillett share - DIC, Hicks, or both? According to Kay, DIC are looking likely to buy the whole of Gillett’s share, and Hicks is also going to sell part of his own share to them: “Hicks is likely to sell only part of his stake initially, leaving DIC in majority control of the club but retaining some interest and his place on the board, at least in the short term.”

Kay does raise the possibility of Hicks buying Gillett out, but far from anything being decided, he reports that talks are only moving along slowly: “Hicks’s abrasive manner means that he is regarded as the most likely obstacle to any deal being completed, but discussions are said to be progressing “sensibly and professionally”, albeit slowly. Although Hicks could, in theory, buy Gillett’s stake in order to strengthen his own bargaining position, that is thought to be unlikely.”

In fact talks are moving so slowly that DIC haven’t actually agreed a price with either Gillett or Hicks according to the report. Kay says that Hicks and Gillett have valued the club at £400m, but that DIC would be hesitant to pay that kind of price if the Reds look like missing out on Champions League qualification for next season.

Kay also points out that DIC aren’t yet briefing anyone on how exactly they expect to run Liverpool if they do take the club over, saying nothing has been said, “beyond its eagerness to conduct a wide-ranging review of all departments of the club.”

The Hicks camp are certainly continuing to let it be known that they do not intend to sell up, in fact they claim they intend to take on a more active role at the club in the future. The impression they are giving is that they are unable to make any changes until Gillett is out of the picture, but they certainly seem to have a good few ideas in mind. It remains to be seen how good those ideas would be, if they ever get the opportunity to put them into practice. They certainly want it to be known that they don’t feel under any pressure to dispose of their half of the club.

Meanwhile Gillett remains completely silent. He’s not speaking to anyone about the club or his role in it, having dragged his son Foster back to North America after clearing his desk in Liverpool.

DIC clearly want to buy into the club, but it’s also quite clear that a price is still to be agreed. The opportunity to inspect the books gives DIC the opportunity to work out their own valuation of the club, and in turn to work out how much they are willing to offer.

If DIC pay enough money, Hicks can minimise his own liabilities on the club without having to sell up in full, and if reports are to be believed then one of his demands in that deal would be for him to continue to have representation on the club’s board. DIC would be majority shareholders, but Hicks would still have a certain amount of power.

Overall, this report of permission being granted to DIC for due diligence is good news and it’s the first real sign of progress in some time. But it’s also a long way short of being proof that DIC are to take the club over in full. Decisions are still to be made, but both the Hicks camp and the DIC camp are each determined to show they are confident of getting their own wishes.

[El Jefecito]

DIC granted due diligence, but Hicks still hanging on
Posted on February 25th, 2008 by Jim Boardman

Oliver Kay of The Times is reporting tonight, under the headline Liverpool’s American owners set to sell, that Liverpool’s co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr have granted Dubai International Capital permission to inspect the club’s books. But the headline is a little misleading, giving the impression of an imminent sale. In fact talks are still some way from being complete, as Kay’s article actually explains.

According to Kay, DIC are looking at the books “with a view to making an official takeover bid next month.” However Kay also repeats what has been reported heavily of late - that Hicks is reluctant to sell up completely. Kay writes that Hicks “plans to retain some of his shares and some of his influence at Anfield for the immediate future,” but says that “face-to-face discussions with DIC officials in Dubai and, more significantly, London last week have brought a deal closer.”

Kay reports that his sources in the US have “indicated that they are ready to demonstrate their willingness to sell by granting a period of due diligence to DIC.”

Kay also confirms what we’ve already heard, that Gillett’s half-share is likely to be sold by the middle of next month. What is still cloudy is exactly how the club’s ownership will be split at that stage. Gillett will be out of the picture of course, but the Hicks camp were maintaining very recently that their stake wasn’t up for sale. The question really was who would be buying the Gillett share - DIC, Hicks, or both? According to Kay, DIC are looking likely to buy the whole of Gillett’s share, and Hicks is also going to sell part of his own share to them: “Hicks is likely to sell only part of his stake initially, leaving DIC in majority control of the club but retaining some interest and his place on the board, at least in the short term.”

Kay does raise the possibility of Hicks buying Gillett out, but far from anything being decided, he reports that talks are only moving along slowly: “Hicks’s abrasive manner means that he is regarded as the most likely obstacle to any deal being completed, but discussions are said to be progressing “sensibly and professionally”, albeit slowly. Although Hicks could, in theory, buy Gillett’s stake in order to strengthen his own bargaining position, that is thought to be unlikely.”

In fact talks are moving so slowly that DIC haven’t actually agreed a price with either Gillett or Hicks according to the report. Kay says that Hicks and Gillett have valued the club at £400m, but that DIC would be hesitant to pay that kind of price if the Reds look like missing out on Champions League qualification for next season.

Kay also points out that DIC aren’t yet briefing anyone on how exactly they expect to run Liverpool if they do take the club over, saying nothing has been said, “beyond its eagerness to conduct a wide-ranging review of all departments of the club.”

The Hicks camp are certainly continuing to let it be known that they do not intend to sell up, in fact they claim they intend to take on a more active role at the club in the future. The impression they are giving is that they are unable to make any changes until Gillett is out of the picture, but they certainly seem to have a good few ideas in mind. It remains to be seen how good those ideas would be, if they ever get the opportunity to put them into practice. They certainly want it to be known that they don’t feel under any pressure to dispose of their half of the club.

Meanwhile Gillett remains completely silent. He’s not speaking to anyone about the club or his role in it, having dragged his son Foster back to North America after clearing his desk in Liverpool.

DIC clearly want to buy into the club, but it’s also quite clear that a price is still to be agreed. The opportunity to inspect the books gives DIC the opportunity to work out their own valuation of the club, and in turn to work out how much they are willing to offer.

If DIC pay enough money, Hicks can minimise his own liabilities on the club without having to sell up in full, and if reports are to be believed then one of his demands in that deal would be for him to continue to have representation on the club’s board. DIC would be majority shareholders, but Hicks would still have a certain amount of power.

Overall, this report of permission being granted to DIC for due diligence is good news and it’s the first real sign of progress in some time. But it’s also a long way short of being proof that DIC are to take the club over in full. Decisions are still to be made, but both the Hicks camp and the DIC camp are each determined to show they are confident of getting their own wishes.

So Hicks may sell. He may not. Gillet may sell to Dic may sell to Hicks. HIcks is going, Hicks is staying. DIC have said they want 100% but may settle for Hicks being on the board.

Is there anything said here that isn't just a list of all the possible options that have been discussed for the last 6 months?

[Alpha]

Is there anything said here that isn't just a list of all the possible options that have been discussed for the last 6 months?

Yes. That DIC have been granted due diligence.

[DannyMan2006]

Yes. That DIC have been granted due diligence.

Actually it says that the Yanks are ready to grant due dilligence, not that they have

As much as I believe Rashid and co. when they say DIC will take over, this article does not bring anything new to the table, other than the fact that the deal is getting closer, or further away dependant on what your thoughts on the timescale were

I believe it will happen, and as every source going has been indicating mid march for a while, I'll give it until the end of march and this will all be done and dusted.

[sinbad]

From Rawk, CTR reply to another posters question :

CTR are you as sure now as you were last week that DIC will takeover?

"Yes.

.... but things like these in high business can go wrong.. the deal is concluded I am being told, I've been told, I've been told nothing different. I still think its a 100% buyout, I have no other info.

And if I get any ****ty emails of Chris M or any other tube, I'm saying no ****ing more by the way.

I have tried to pass on stuff falling in my lap, which I didn't ask for... its the job I do allowed me by chance on this, I have met Ste G once, I know ****ing nobody at LFC.

And ShanksLegend and I are 100%. There is no conflict... we both pass what we hear in good faith, with no desire to mislead anyone. He has friends at the Club, I do not. My connections are fortuitous... in this takeover issue only. And if eitherof us says something which turns out not correct, not our fault... its what we were told at the time.

My info for now is exactly as I've said all along these past few weeks. A deal was in the offing, and got closer last week. I havent asked again, as far as Im told, DIC are going to agree terms for 100% ownership of the club, with a removal of the Americans; it is concluded apart from the usual fineprint, and will be announced sometime soon."

[Rafa Shankly]

when is this from mate?

[sinbad]

http://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=213333.80

about 30 mins ago

[Rafa Shankly]

nice one mate,just seen it,sounds promising but as usual,large pinch of salt,weve been let down to many times.

in fact i fully expect to wake up tomorrow to a post that completely ****s on this and sends us all back into the doldrums's,mark my words.

[Johnny]

So we`re back to 100% takeover from DIC?
I get sick on rollercoasters.