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BBC Football
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Liverpool’s future ownership is delicately poised
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Liverpool’s future is still unclear after co-owner George Gillett failed to agree a deal with Dubai International Capital over his 50% share in the club.
DIC has tabled a £400m bid to take control of Liverpool from Gillett and his fellow American partner Tom Hicks.
Representatives for DIC held talks with Gillett’s lawyers at a London hotel on Tuesday, with Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry also in attendance.
BBC Sport understands the talks were “cordial” but the parties remain apart.
The talks are expected to continue on a daily basis, but DIC sources stress the offer is final – and while it has not yet been agreed, Gillett has not rejected the bid out of hand.
Hicks insists he is unwilling to sell his share of Liverpool to DIC, the Government-run Dubai investment fund, and is plotting to raise money to buy out Gillett and take total control at Anfield.
The Americans took control of Liverpool in a deal worth £218.9m in February 2007 but their own relationship has broken down and the pair – Hicks in particular – have been the target for savage criticism from supporters.
DIC must now decide whether to continue dialogue with Gillett, who it is believed is willing to sell but not at the price currently on offer and will not be rushed into a sale or agree to any deadline on a decision.
The situation is further complicated by an agreement between Hicks and Gillett that means one cannot sell his share without the agreement of the other.
The Dubai group must now decide whether to continue the dialogue with Gillett, who was at his home in Vail, Colorado, recovering from illness during Tuesday’s talks, as Hicks continues to take an entrenched position.
Top businesswoman Amanda Staveley represented DIC in the talks with Gillett’s lawyers, while Parry was invited to attend to provide background and ensure the club’s interests were looked after.
DIC confirmed on Monday that it had been in talks with Hicks and Gillett about purchasing a stake in the Anfield club, having missed out to the Americans last year.
The group will hope an agreement with Gillett puts pressure on Hicks to sell but, with talks having reached a temporary deadlock, Liverpool’s future ownership still remains delicately poised.
