|
|
Liverpool Takeover Talks Going 'Really Badly'
The Reds' American owners continue to be unrealistic in their assessment of the club's worth, according to a Kuwaiti investment group.
Mar 5, 2009 8:01:55 PM
Liverpool's takeover talks with an investment consortium headed by the family of Kuwaiti tycoon Nasser Al-Kharafi appear to have hit a major snag.
The road block could turn into an impasse unless the club's American co-owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, lower their asking price, according to Abdulla Al-Sager, who is setting up to be one of the principals of the proposed deal.
"Things are going really badly, because they are asking for too much," Al-Sager told Bloomberg.
"I don't think anything will happen unless we get a better price."
The American business-partners' reign at Anfield has been swamped with controversy after controversy, but so far there has been no indication that they are willing to dramatically adjust their valuation, believed to be in the region of £500 million.
The Kopites are still furious that Hicks and Gillett broke their promise not to pile debt upon the club, not to mention their inability to drum up the funds for a new stadium at Stanley Park.
Furthermore, the pair's relationship with manager Rafael Benitez has always been terse at best, and their constant disputes over transfer dealings have caused considerable unrest within the club.
Thus, a change in ownership would suit all parties concerned: the Hicks and Gillett would cash in and move out, much to most fans' delight, while Benitez should get the cash cow he always wanted.
At the present time it is looking less and less likely that a new owner would have any association with the Al-Kharafi consortium, however.
Derek Wanner, Goal.com
The road block could turn into an impasse unless the club's American co-owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, lower their asking price, according to Abdulla Al-Sager, who is setting up to be one of the principals of the proposed deal.
"Things are going really badly, because they are asking for too much," Al-Sager told Bloomberg.
"I don't think anything will happen unless we get a better price."
The American business-partners' reign at Anfield has been swamped with controversy after controversy, but so far there has been no indication that they are willing to dramatically adjust their valuation, believed to be in the region of £500 million.
The Kopites are still furious that Hicks and Gillett broke their promise not to pile debt upon the club, not to mention their inability to drum up the funds for a new stadium at Stanley Park.
Furthermore, the pair's relationship with manager Rafael Benitez has always been terse at best, and their constant disputes over transfer dealings have caused considerable unrest within the club.
Thus, a change in ownership would suit all parties concerned: the Hicks and Gillett would cash in and move out, much to most fans' delight, while Benitez should get the cash cow he always wanted.
At the present time it is looking less and less likely that a new owner would have any association with the Al-Kharafi consortium, however.
Derek Wanner, Goal.com
Inside Goal.Com
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.
-
McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date
The City Islanders fought back from three goals down with nine minutes to play and won the game on penalty kicks in a stunning game on a wild night for the U.S. Open Cup.