DIC latest - the largely wild speculation thread

[Craig_H]

SSN running with senior DIC officials have confirmed a £400 mill bid for us... deal is only on the table TODAY!!!!!

C

Wont be accepted though

[Craig_H]

I think if they went to £450m, it'd seriously tempt Hicks.

I imagine Gillett would take £200m and Hicks £250m.

[coop]

Dubai make £400m bid for LiverpoolMar 4 2008

EXCLUSIVE by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo

DUBAI Investment Capital has made a £400m offer to buy Liverpool Football Club and has given current owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett until midnight to accept or they will walk away from the negotiating table.

The ECHO understands the bid would allow Hicks and Gillett to walk away with a profit of £25m each.

The offer follows weeks of talks between DIC and the Americans which have now come to a head with the Dubai-based consortium now looking for the ongoing saga to be brought to a swift conclusion.

Having had a dramatic fall out with co-owner Hicks, Gillett has indicated he is ready to sell his stake but has not yet accepted the offer.

Hicks is believed to be the major sticking point, however, and has been trying to raise the capital necessary to buy out his partner.

Reports today suggested that he now has the capital to do so but Hicks told the ECHO that such speculation is "premature".

The pair have been in talks with DIC separately for several weeks and the formal offer was made to them on DIC's behalf by Amanda Staveley, a senior partner of London-based investment firm PCP.

Staveley, a self-made multi millionaire who formerly dated Prince Andrew and who is representing the Dubais on the deal, delivered the offer several days ago.

It is believed she is reporting directly to Sameer Al Ansari and Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, the world’s fifth richest man and who is famous for his hugely successful Godolphin Racing tables in Britain.

Confirming the talks, DIC chief executive and Liverpool fan Al Ansari accused Hicks of "living in dreamland".

The ECHO understands DIC is becoming increasingly perplexed by the value being put on the club by Hicks who is seeking an offer in excess of £1bn for an asset which cost just £171m little more than 12 months ago.

It's no secret that we have been in discussions with the current owners," Al Ansari said. "It's not easy because the owners are in dreamland about valuations at the moment."

Al Ansari later clarified that one of the club's owners "had come out of dreamland", without giving further details.

The turmoil between Hicks and Gillett means the club is unable to function as it should - last week's signing of Javier Mascherano notwithstanding - and the two Americans have held totally different visions for Liverpool for some time.

Hicks recent public backing of manager Rafa Benitez is in stark contrast to Gillett's silence on the matter and that is just one example of the divisions that exist between the pair who are now barely even on speaking terms.

DIC want to give both Hicks and Gillett a chance to walk away from Liverpool with a sizeable profit but should they fail to accept the offer that is on the table by midnight they will walk away.

The news will come as a boost for many Liverpool fans, who have called for DIC to come back in and save the club from what is seen as a crisis beyond repair under the Americans, who were welcomed at first before relations soured amid the controversies hitting Anfield.

[Joe King]

I think if they went to £450m, it'd seriously tempt Hicks.

I imagine Gillett would take £200m and Hicks £250m.

Seriously, I think it would take £500m to tempt these two ****ers.

[Lisburn Red]

I hate Tom Hicks......period !!

[Shaggy]

Dubai's DIC make £400m bid for Reds
Mar 4 2008 World Exclusive by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo

DUBAI Investment Capital has made a £400m offer to buy Liverpool Football Club and has given current owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett until midnight to accept or they will walk away from the negotiating table.

The ECHO understands the bid would allow Hicks and Gillett to walk away with a profit of £25m each.

The offer follows weeks of talks between DIC and the Americans which have now come to a head with the Dubai-based consortium now looking for the ongoing saga to be brought to a swift conclusion.

Having had a dramatic fall out with co-owner Hicks, Gillett has indicated he is ready to sell his stake but has not yet accepted the offer.

Hicks is believed to be the major sticking point, however, and has been trying to raise the capital necessary to buy out his partner.

Reports today suggested that he now has the capital to do so but Hicks told the ECHO that such speculation is "premature".

The pair have been in talks with DIC separately for several weeks and the formal offer was made to them on DIC's behalf by Amanda Staveley, a senior partner of London-based investment firm PCP.

Staveley, a self-made multi millionaire who formerly dated Prince Andrew and who is representing the Dubais on the deal, delivered the offer several days ago.

It is believed she is reporting directly to Sameer Al Ansari and Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, the world’s fifth richest man and who is famous for his hugely successful Godolphin Racing tables in Britain.

Confirming the talks, DIC chief executive and Liverpool fan Al Ansari accused Hicks of "living in dreamland".

The ECHO understands DIC is becoming increasingly perplexed by the value being put on the club by Hicks who is seeking an offer in excess of £1bn for an asset which cost just £171m little more than 12 months ago.

It's no secret that we have been in discussions with the current owners," Al Ansari said.

"It's not easy because the owners are in dreamland about valuations at the moment."

Al Ansari later clarified that one of the club's owners "had come out of dreamland", without giving further details.

The turmoil between Hicks and Gillett means the club is unable to function as it should - last week's signing of Javier Mascherano notwithstanding - and the two Americans have held totally different visions for Liverpool for some time.

Hicks recent public backing of manager Rafa Benitez is in stark contrast to Gillett's silence on the matter and that is just one example of the divisions that exist between the pair who are now barely even on speaking terms.

DIC want to give both Hicks and Gillett a chance to walk away from Liverpool with a sizeable profit but should they fail to accept the offer that is on the table by midnight they will walk away.

The news will come as a boost for many Liverpool fans, who have called for DIC to come back in and save the club from what is seen as a crisis beyond repair under the Americans, who were welcomed at first before relations soured amid the controversies hitting Anfield.

[AFII]

Wont be accepted though

Who knows?

It depends how long time Hicks is prepared to wait to make a profit and how much Gillett want to sell.

We simply won't make a profit in the next 10+ years because of the £350m debt we are in and the interest we will have to pay for that loan, even with a new stadium.

[Abro100]

They said that includes the 350 debt though, so isnt that 25 each?

"I'm told the offer from DIC is £400m and that includes the recently re-financed debt of £350m," said BBC Radio 5 Live football correspondent Jonathan Legard.

[dww]

I think it was a billion dollars...which is about £100m more than what DIC are allegedly offering.

Seriously, they're worth about £8b - just offer an extra £100m ffs!

But they exist largely to make money. So why would they pay more for an asset than what they value it at?

[Craig_H]

Seriously, I think it would take £500m to tempt these two ****ers.

Maybe. Even if that's true, an extra £100m is small change for DIC. If they REALLY want the club, then they wouldnt walk away if their £400m bid is rejected.

[Craig_H]

But they exist largely to make money. So why would they pay more for an asset than what they value it at?

I dont think their pursuit of LFC is profit related...say what you will, but i dont believe it's to do with making money out of us.

[Craig_H]

Who knows?

It depends how long time Hicks is prepared to wait to make a profit and how much Gillett want to sell.

We simply won't make a profit in the next 10+ years because of the £350m debt we are in and the interest we will have to pay for that loan, even with a new stadium.

I agree that Hicks would probably prefer to get out with profit than sit around waiting for the club to finally turn a profit. However, £25m isnt enough for him IMO.

[AFII]

Sounds to me that the time is running out for Hicks to raise the money and DIC knows that Hicks hasn't yet secured all the money he need.

That is what the 24 hour deadline is all about. Hicks at same time is bluffing about that he has the money.

[Abro100]

I dont think it is either, i just dont think they will sell! Period, hicks seems to be very content where he is now. Although it could of been spin to try and get a better deal.

[dww]

I dont think their pursuit of LFC is profit related...say what you will, but i dont believe it's to do with making money out of us.

I think there is an aspect of prestige but there is no way it is an Abramovich style play thing IMO. They obviously aren't about maximising the profit margin exclusively but they £100m is a huge amount extra to spend on a project and I suspect that with the necessary investment on players and stadium on top is more than enough to put them off the idea of buying us.