Saturday, January 19, 2008

George Gillett Ponders Over Hicks Buy-Out

Liverpool co-owner George Gillett is expected to spend the next few days deciding whether to buy-out partner Tom Hicks, despite the pair saying they remained committed to the club and that it would not be sold for the second time in the space of a year.

It is thought that Dubai International Capital (DIC) are preparing another bid to acquire a share of the club, and are prepared to back Gillett as he mulls over whether to make an offer to buy out the 50 per cent shareholding of his partner at Anfield.

According to reports, DIC is willing to join forces with Gillett and it is believed that he will weigh up his options over the next few days while persuading Hicks to sell his interest in Liverpool for a substantial profit.

However, it is believed that Gillett will not table the combined offer to Hicks and that he may instead approve a controversial £350 million refinancing plan for Liverpool's new stadium - a deal that is expected to be ratified sometime next week.

A source confirmed to the Guardian that a deal has been drafted which will then be presented to the Americans before they put their signatures to the £350m loan.

"It is a very delicate situation but DIC has reignited its interest," the source told the newspaper.

"The terms of the offer, which will be made to Tom Hicks, have been agreed and DIC are hopeful they will be finally be able to invest in Liverpool."

The latest twist in the Anfield saga could also have left the relationship further soured between the co-owners if the deal goes ahead.

However, a spokesman for the Americans yesterday said: "Any suggestion that Messrs Hicks and Gillett are contemplating a sale of the club or any portion thereof to DIC or anyone else is categorically untrue."

On the football front, Liverpool and Rafael Benitez will step out on Monday for their Premiership home game with Aston Villa with their minds focused on the pitch.

Five days later they will have to deal with non-league Havant and Waterlooville in the FA Cup.

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