Liverpool move step closer to takeover by Maktoums.

[Rich]

Agreed. It's all about sustainability.

Hopefully, the new owners will provide a large cash injection, but have clear and defined plans to allow the club to grow organically to achieve their aims. Losing £150m a year for three years is obviously not sustainable and something I'd like us to do, but Chelsea have their Russian Oligarch to bail them out each year.

Priority should be:

Finalise deal to either outright own the club, or become major shareholders
Get the stadium started
Sort out any contracts that are running low
Sort out the debt
Provide Rafa with some decent funds
Sort out all Commercial aspects of the club from Merchandise, website, sponsorship, ticket office, and potential tv channel.

[bazza76]

A return ON the pitch you mean? Because they wont make one off it. Not money-wise, anyway. Unless it's done via other means, using the club as a generator of funds.

Well I would think more as an advertisement, which would mean success will important to them more so that profit i would have guessed.
Then again, these big American Tycoons would lead you to believe there is big money ahead in owning a Premiership team.

[Craig_H]

They could possibly make cash from other avenues, by using the LFC brand properly. They wont make much of a return directly through the club though, as there simply isnt enough money in football to make a return on £450m.

An option may be the independent sale of TV rights, especially abroad.

[BobSkinstad]

Comparisons with Chavsea are wide of the mark - DIC will hardly be investing in LFC to gain positive PR abroad, so as to enable subsequent non-footballing "investments" (i.e. money-laundering) abroad to be made possible.

[dom9]

Change of topic, but maybe we could go for Tevez. I bet his value has plumetted since he's joined West Ham (though this would still be beyond our means in normal circumstances). And let's be honest, he is still a world class player, albeit one that isn't on form right now.

[Fagan]

REDS CONFIRM INVESTMENT TALKS
Liverpoolfc.tv 04 December 2006
Liverpool Football Club today confirms that it has entered into a period of exclusive negotiations with Dubai International Capital ('DIC') about a possible investment in the club.
No deal has yet been agreed and the detail of any transaction which may or may not include a formal offer by DIC for Liverpool Football Club is still to be confirmed.

The Club aims to keep Liverpool shareholders and supporters fully informed and will make a further statement as soon as possible.

DIC is the international investment arm of Dubai Holding, which owns and manages a diversified portfolio of companies operating in the fields of leisure, healthcare, technology, finance, real estate, research, education, tourism, energy and communications. DIC has a strong track record in both the leisure sector and in the UK. In 2005, for example, it bought Tussauds, the largest operator of visitor attractions in Europe, for $1.5bn. It also owns the Travelodge hotel group. Its parent company owns various London hotels, including the Carlton Tower.

Rick Parry, Chief Executive of Liverpool, said: "This is the latest step on the road of finding the long-term investment that the Club needs. DIC is a potential investor with the resources and philosophy that we believe could make them an ideal partner. Already they have demonstrated a full understanding of, and respect for, the club’s heritage and values. We also believe they share our passion for success. In particular, DIC believes in investing in the businesses it acquires. This is very important in terms of the proposed new stadium, which is key to plans for the regeneration of the local community. On the pitch, Liverpool remains focused on winning and, here again, this is all about doing a deal that gives us the long-term resources to do that."

Dealing Disclosure Requirements

Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the “Code”), if any person is, or becomes, “interested” (directly or indirectly) in 1% or more of any class of “relevant securities” of DIC or of Liverpool, all “dealings” in any “relevant securities” of that company (including by means of an option in respect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such “relevant securities”) must be publicly disclosed by no later than 3.30pm (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction. This requirement will continue until the date on which the offer becomes, or is declared, unconditional as to acceptances, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn or on which the “offer period” otherwise ends. If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire an “interest” in “relevant securities” of DIC or of Liverpool, they will be deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.

Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the Code, all “dealings” in “relevant securities” of DIC or of Liverpool by Liverpool or by DIC or by any of their respective “associates”, must be disclosed by no later than 12.00 noon (London time) on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction.

A disclosure table, giving details of the companies in whose “relevant securities” “dealings” should be disclosed, and the number of such securities in issue, can be found on the Takeover Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

“Interests in securities” arise, in summary, when a person has long economic exposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price of securities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an “interest” by virtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option in respect of, or derivative referenced to, securities. Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Code, which can also be found on the Panel’s website. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are required to disclose a “dealing” under Rule 8, you should consult the Panel

[Jack D Rips]

They could possibly make cash from other avenues, by using the LFC brand properly. They wont make much of a return directly through the club though, as there simply isnt enough money in football to make a return on £450m.

An option may be the independent sale of TV rights, especially abroad.

Could you explain what you mean here as I dont understand it? Is the merchandising ( properly run) not a possible source?

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

Sorry but we've been here before and it's come to nothing.

Sorry if I'm coming over like AA here but I reckon the club will somehow make a cu/nt of this, if there is an offer actually on the table that is.

But hey **** all that. Lets buy David Villa, Messi, Micah Richards, Kaka and Daniel Alves.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

This is want-wettingly exciting. The sky truly is the limit if all this goes through, considering we have the best manager in the world and a big load of cash coming his way! This might be a good time for certain players to start trying to cement themselves in the squad before they become expendable

Yes. Jermaine Pennant just shat himself.

[thesilverfoxlfc]

Will Morgan sell his share or will it even matter if he does or not?

[brightred]

I'd put money on that Zico is really the big fat guy from that crap money grabbing site

[Tee]

Hopefully we will NOT be wearing Carlsberg on our shirts next year!!

'Travelodge' on our shirts will look crap though...

[The_weatherman]

Are we getting ahead of ourselves here though? LFC confirmed these talks but only refer to investment and nothing more, maybe they won´t be spending that much on players and stuff.

[brightred]

Good point.....

But I'm still getting pissed tonight on the strength of it

[Tee]

Good point.....

But I'm still getting pissed tonight on the strength of it