Yeah, I know some of you will only "believe it when you see it" but thought I'd post this for the hopeless optimists like myself 
From today's Torygraph
Liverpool feel pressure to sell
By Mihir Bose
Last Updated: 3:48am BST 26/10/2006
Your View: Premiership forum
The clock is ticking for a decision on who will buy Liverpool. I understand the board are keen to settle this long-running saga – it has been going on for three years – before the club's annual general meeting, to be held in December or January.
At recent annual meetings there has been much acrimony about the failure to do a deal and the board are unlikely to want a repeat of such scenes.
There is also the commitment the club have made to the local council that they will start work on the new stadium, estimated to cost £200 million, by next year. However, until a deal is done, money secured and Liverpool's ownership settled, there is unlikely to be any progress on the stadium.
I understand Liverpool have four suitors, including a consortium led by Robin Herd, the former owner of Oxford United, a Belfast businessman, a rich Norwegian, and Dubai Holdings, who expressed interest some years ago and have renewed their interest.
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In the past the sticking point in the negotiations has been David Moores, the chairman, who owns 51 per cent and did not want to relinquish control.
Liverpool have 15,177 unissued shares and discussion has centred on issuing these shares. Although local share dealings price each Liverpool share at around £3,000, Moores has talked of wanting £6,000 a share, which would bring £90 million into the club.
It would mean that while Moores' shareholding would dilute down to 38 per cent, he would still be the biggest shareholder and very much in control.
However, the revival of interest by Dubai Holdings suggests that now a complete purchase of Liverpool is on the cards.
Although Dubai Holdings are a public company, they are effectively controlled by the government of Dubai. Their chief executive, Mohammed Gergawi, is head of the office of the Dubai ruler, Sheikh Mohammed. The trend of recent Arab investment is to be very hands on, not passive, and should Dubai Holdings take over Liverpool this could mean big changes at Anfield.
Nigel Dudley, a Middle East specialist, says: "In the past, Gulf investors were happy to put in money and let others manage but that is not the case now."
It would also mean that the state of Dubai would have a prominent influence on two major clubs in the Premiership. In one, Liverpool, they would be owners. In another, Arsenal, the sponsors are Emirates, the state airline of Dubai.
Such an influence does not violate football's law on multiple ownership of clubs and clubs say sponsors exercise no influence, but it will mark a new trend.
From today's Torygraph
Liverpool feel pressure to sell
By Mihir Bose
Last Updated: 3:48am BST 26/10/2006
Your View: Premiership forum
The clock is ticking for a decision on who will buy Liverpool. I understand the board are keen to settle this long-running saga – it has been going on for three years – before the club's annual general meeting, to be held in December or January.
At recent annual meetings there has been much acrimony about the failure to do a deal and the board are unlikely to want a repeat of such scenes.
There is also the commitment the club have made to the local council that they will start work on the new stadium, estimated to cost £200 million, by next year. However, until a deal is done, money secured and Liverpool's ownership settled, there is unlikely to be any progress on the stadium.
I understand Liverpool have four suitors, including a consortium led by Robin Herd, the former owner of Oxford United, a Belfast businessman, a rich Norwegian, and Dubai Holdings, who expressed interest some years ago and have renewed their interest.
advertisement
In the past the sticking point in the negotiations has been David Moores, the chairman, who owns 51 per cent and did not want to relinquish control.
Liverpool have 15,177 unissued shares and discussion has centred on issuing these shares. Although local share dealings price each Liverpool share at around £3,000, Moores has talked of wanting £6,000 a share, which would bring £90 million into the club.
It would mean that while Moores' shareholding would dilute down to 38 per cent, he would still be the biggest shareholder and very much in control.
However, the revival of interest by Dubai Holdings suggests that now a complete purchase of Liverpool is on the cards.
Although Dubai Holdings are a public company, they are effectively controlled by the government of Dubai. Their chief executive, Mohammed Gergawi, is head of the office of the Dubai ruler, Sheikh Mohammed. The trend of recent Arab investment is to be very hands on, not passive, and should Dubai Holdings take over Liverpool this could mean big changes at Anfield.
Nigel Dudley, a Middle East specialist, says: "In the past, Gulf investors were happy to put in money and let others manage but that is not the case now."
It would also mean that the state of Dubai would have a prominent influence on two major clubs in the Premiership. In one, Liverpool, they would be owners. In another, Arsenal, the sponsors are Emirates, the state airline of Dubai.
Such an influence does not violate football's law on multiple ownership of clubs and clubs say sponsors exercise no influence, but it will mark a new trend.
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