Thursday, August 05, 2010

Syrian Businessman Aims To Gazump Kenneth Huang In Race For Liverpool

A surprise Syrian bidder claims to have re-entered the race to buy Liverpool FC.

Yahya Kirdi, a businessman and former Syrian international footballer, says his group is in "advanced negotiations" with the owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Kirdi claimed in a statement that he had agreed a price and that a formal agreement is being drawn up. His statement comes just three days after the Chinese businessman Kenneth Huang made his group's bid for the club public.

Some suspect that Kirdi's claim could be an attempt to drive up any price paid by Huang, who has offered under £300m for the club, around half of what the owners are seeking.

Kirdi's group of investors, from the Middle East and Canada, have promised to clear Liverpool's debt and provide the investment required to build the new Anfield in Stanley Park.

Kirdi made similar claims earlier this year and had previously been dismissed as a serious bidder by the club.

A statement released overnight said: "Yahya Kirdi, who represents a select group of investors from the Middle East and Canada, confirmed today that his group is in advanced negotiations with Thomas Hicks and George Gillett, co-owners of Liverpool football club, to purchase 100% of the club.

"Agreement has been reached on all major terms including the purchase price, repayment of the existing bank debt … and financing of a new stadium in Liverpool's Stanley Park. A formal purchase agreement between the parties is in the final stage of negotiation."

Kirdi said: "Liverpool is a massive football club with passionate and proud fans in Merseyside and in every part of the world. With additional money to improve the squad and financing in place to build the new stadium, LFC will be on a solid foundation to compete in the Premiership and in Europe for years to come."

The club's chairman, Martin Broughton, is hopeful of completing a sale this month, and the owners have always claimed that there is more than one potential buyer.

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