Liverpool Postpone Meeting To Discuss Takeover With No Serious Bids On The Table

A Liverpool board meeting scheduled for Thursday to discuss offers for the club has been postponed, providing further evidence of the complications and uncertainty surrounding the club’s future.

The Daily Telegraph can disclose that the decision to postpone was taken amid continuing doubts about the credibility of potential bidders and after the date had been publicized in the media.

A well-placed source said it would have been “premature” to meet this week, indicating that the club was yet to receive any formal offers backed by proof of funds.

Sources said the board would not meet this week and it is unclear when the five-man group – chairman Martin Broughton, owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, managing director Christian Purslow and commercial director Ian Ayre – will now convene.

The delay raises doubts about the club’s prospects of changing hands this month, or even before the Oct 6 refinancing deadline set by Royal Bank of Scotland.

Broughton had asked as many as six potential buyers to table detailed offers, including proof of funds, by the end of this week, in the hope that two might be worth serious consideration. That deadline now looks ambitious.

For supporters desperate for clarity amid the claims and counter-claims of the last fortnight the postponement is not a positive sign.

Broughton might still emerge from the fog of speculation clutching a piece of paper securing the future of Liverpool FC in the near future, but this does not make it feel any more imminent.

At least five potential buyers are thought to have expressed an interest.

Chinese-American businessman Kenneth Huang and Syrian Yahya Kurdi have both said they are considering an offer for the club, while the Kuwaiti Al-Kharafi family and New York investors the Rhone Group are also thought to have expressed an interest.

Indian conglomerate Sahara said this week it would not bid “for the time being”, but did not rule it out.

Until any of them table offers with proof of funds, Broughton’s hopes of securing a deal before the end of the transfer window will be dashed.

The timing is significant. The deadline for formal offers falls on Friday and marks the end of the two-week window after which Huang indicated he would walk away if his offer was not accepted.

It is also just over a fortnight from the closure of the transfer window, the last opportunity for Roy Hodgson to enhance his squad.

It appears likely now that the window will close without a formal change in Liverpool’s ownership, leaving the far more significant deadline set by RBS looking like the decisive factor in regards to the fate of the club.

The bank agreed to extend its £237 million loan facility in April only after Hicks and Gillett agreed to sell and to appoint Broughton to oversee the process.

RBS is also understood to have imposed more expensive terms on the Americans, with £110 million of their debt reportedly converted to payment-in-kind loans accruing interest of up to £2.5 million a week.

This gives RBS by far the greatest leverage of any of the players in the Anfield saga, though whether the bank will choose to use it remains to be seen.

RBS is reported to have offered to “ease” the financing for any bidder, a move that emphasizes the sensitivity of its position.

If October arrives with no acceptable offer RBS could extend its financing to the Americans again, or take a more drastic step and force out Hicks and Gillett and effectively take control of the club.

That would be a hugely controversial step for the publicly-owned bank to take and would require the endorsement of senior management including chief executive Stephen Hester.

Removing the Americans might be popular on Merseyside and would certainly simplify the process, but it would not be without implications for the bank’s reputation.

For potential bidders RBS’s situation offers an opportunity. Letting the clock tick down will increase the bank’s anxiety, the fees paid by Hicks and Gillett and drive the price down .

Sahara’s statement this week suggests that may be its strategy.

Kurdi, understood to be backed by investors from Sharjah and considered a serious bidder by the Americans, who are seeking a profit from their time in charge at Anfield, indicated he would do likewise.

“I want at least two months, two months to see everything. After that if everything is OK it’s a deal. If not, 'Thank you very much’,” he told Bloomberg this week.

The Huang bid told The Daily Telegraph on Wednesday that it had still not decided whether to make an offer.

Marc Ganis, a US associate of Huang’s, said via email: “We haven’t yet decided to submit a formal proposal but are interested in looking at an investment there. I suspect that is obvious. We also have not identified the potential investors.”

Ganis’s statement is a far more sober assessment than the suggestions of a swift Chinese government-backed takeover emanating from Huang’s camp last week.

Huang, a sports business investor who cites top-level contacts in China and the US, has made no comment himself since news of his intentions emerged last week.

There has been confusion over the source of his funding and the exact make-up of his team.

His background has come under scrutiny too, though not via his company website, which has displayed the message 'Site Under Maintenance’ since his involvement.

Huang received an endorsement on Wednesday when Randy Levine, president of the New York Yankees, told the New York Times he had arranged marketing tie-ups in China.

Huang would hope to forge similar links for Liverpool, but first, like everyone else circling the club, he will have to convince Broughton he has the finances to pay for it.

If he and the other interested parties cannot, RBS may have to decide the club’s future in the autumn.

Denmark's Poulsen Signs For Liverpool

Denmark midfielder Christian Poulsen was reunited with former manager Roy Hodgson on Thursday when he agreed a three-year contract with Liverpool.

The Premier League club's website (www.liverpoolfc.tv) said the 30-year-old had joined from Juventus where he spent two disappointing seasons after leaving Sevilla.

Juventus said Liverpool had agreed to pay a fee of 5.4 million euros ($6.96 million) for Poulsen. A further 1.2 million euros could be payable depending on appearances.

Poulsen, who has been capped 77 times by Denmark, plays a similar role to Javier Mascherano and his arrival will increase the likelihood the Argentine is to leave Anfield.

Hodgson, who has also signed midfielder Joe Cole from Chelsea and winger Milan Jovanovic from Standard Liege on free transfers since taking over last month, worked with Poulsen at FC Copenhagen.

Hodgson Considers Move For Villa Pair Petrov And Warnock

Liverpool are considering a double Villa Park swoop as Roy Hodgson looks to take advantage of the uncertainty at Aston Villa to help strengthen his squad. Hodgson is looking to bring Stephen Warnock and Stiliyan Petrov to the Merseyside club and with Martin O’Neill quitting the club yesterday the Anfield boss will be hoping to persuade both players to make the move north.

England international Warnock of course started his career at Liverpool but left after nine years trying to force his way into the first team reckoning. Since leaving the club the left back has gone from strength to strength first at Ewood Park and then at Villa. Hodgson persuaded Fabio Aurelio to re-sign for the club but he could well need another full back and may feel the 28 year old Ormskirk lad would be a better option.

Petrov followed O’Neill from Celtic to Villa and will not be pleased by his departure and indeed the reasons behind it. Hodgson had already been linked with a move for the 31 year old Bulgarian but his interest will have now increased following this weeks events.

Neither player would cost a large sum and the pair could be snapped up for around £14m and with Javier Mascherano set to leave the club Hodgson should have the funds to bring in new additions.

West Ham Will Sell Carlton Cole To Liverpool For £20million

Liverpool will have to cough up £20million for Carlton Cole.

West Ham are willing to sell but they want a top price as they would have little time before the new season kicks off to sign a replacement striker.

Kop boss Roy Hodgson was instructed earlier this week to pay £15m up front with a further £5m fixed to appearances.

A Hammers insider said: "It has to be a big price for Carlton. With just days to go before the season starts, the club doesn’t want to be left in the lurch.

"If things happened earlier, maybe the price could have been lower."

Hammers have already turned down a Stoke bid of £9m plus £3m on appearances for Cole, 26.

The frontman has been in fine pre-season form, scoring four goals in six games as he bids to add to his seven England caps.

Javier Mascherano Insists He Has Nothing Against Club

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano insists he has nothing against the club despite his desire to leave.

"The only thing I want to say is I don’t have nothing against the Liverpool supporters, the Liverpool people," said Mascherano after Argentina’s 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland. “My problem is not playing for Liverpool. I’m very proud to play for Liverpool. It’s another thing.

“I said to him (new Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson) that maybe for my life I prefer to change the country, not to change the club - that is the fact.

“Sometimes you can see all the things that the papers or the press say, but at the end the only thing I can say is thank you to everyone in Liverpool because they supported me all the time, from the beginning until now.”

The 26-year-old appears to be on his way to Barcelona after Inter Milan pulled out of the running for his signature.

Jamie Carragher Believes Wave Of Optimism Will Carry Reds To New Era Of Success

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher is relishing the beginning of a new Premier League campaign, with a new air of optimistic expectation enveloping Anfield in the wake of the arrival of new manager Roy Hodgson.

Last season ended with the club in something of a shambles, with the off-pitch ownership issues compounding a miserable performance by former boss Rafael Benitez and his squad.

But Carragher expects things to be much better this time around.

"We have got to look forward with great excitement," he told his club's official website.

"Last season never went well but we have got to forget about it and put it behind us. Just like when Rafa Benitez and Gerard Houllier came in, everyone got a lift.

"That's the way it is. We are not a club that changes manager every couple of years. But it's not just that. We have made a couple of good signings, like Joe Cole. Not only that, two of the best players in the world has just committed their futures.

"That is absolutely massive and has given everyone the kind of lift we needed. We have got to be positive and I see no reason why we can't do well but the proof, as always, will be provided by the performances we produce on the pitch."

Carragher believes that the Reds' players have learned valuable lessons from last season and will now need to use that experience to their advantage.

"You have got to remember that right until the end, we were still in with a chance of getting into the top four," he said about last season.

"I know people are writing us off and saying we have got no chance but I've no doubt that we will improve.

"We are not the type of club that says we are going to do this or that. But now is the time for everyone to come together again and show that we can leave last year's form well behind. There will be new ideas, difference voices on the training ground and all that helps."

"You never know what might happen," he said. "Last year after a few games, the whole world had written me off and said I was finished.

"But in the second half of the season, along with Mascherano and Pepe, I was probably one of the most consistent players and when you look at how the defence played, we managed to keep 18 clean sheets."

The former England defender is also sure that he still has a full part to play under new boss Roy Hodgson, although he admits he'll have to fight to retain his place in the team.

"That's gone now and you have to do it all again. There is going to be a challenge and it has always been the case that players will want to take your place but you just have to be ready for the challenge.

"I played every week for Rafa for six years but I've got to prove myself again. Even if Rafa had still been here that would have been the case. There will be a time when I don't play 50 games a season but I've no intention of it happening this year."

"There is one thing that will never change. Liverpool will always be expected to do well and the pressure for us to be successful is just as intense as it was all those years ago; it might even be more. It will be like that for years to come."

Steven Gerrard: England Youngsters Did Us Proud

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard believes that England's young players deserve plaudits for the way they handled the pressure of appearing in the friendly against Hungary at Wembley on Wednesday evening.

Gerrard himself netted two second half goals after Hungary had gone into the lead through a Phil Jagielka own goal.

Many had also expected the team to receive a rough reception from the England fans after the shambolic World Cup campaign in the summer.

But the captain felt that the way youngsters such as Joe Hart and Adam Johnson contributed to the team effort was worthy of commendation.

"I thought the young guys tonight were superb," he told Sky Sports News.

"They deserve the big headlines. I thought to play for England is very difficult at this level.

"It's tough and to get through at the age of 18 or 19 is really tough.

Especially in this situation after a tough World Cup. I thought they handled themselves really well and they can be proud of themselves."

Sharjah Royal Family Behind Yahya Kirdi's Bid To Buy Liverpool

Yahya Kirdi's proposed bid to purchase Liverpool is being backed by members the ruling al-Qasimi family of Sharjah, according to a report from The Guardian.

Syrian businessman Kirdi has claimed that his bid is backed by significant investors in the Middle East and Canada, though the individuals concerned are yet to be named or presented to Reds chairman Martin Broughton.

Kirdi is believed to have authority to represent the family in business dealings.

The report claims that the al-Qasimi family has been negotiating through Kirdi directly with owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett since October to buy the club.

The al-Qasimis have ruled Sharjah, the third richest of the United Arab Emirates, for centuries, though are not believed to be the Gulf state's richest family.

The Guardian claims that a deal has in principle been agreed between the buyers and Hicks and Gillet. This deal would see the investors take over the club, Liverpool's debts to Royal Bank of Scotland and Wachovia paid off and a new stadium funded by a 15-year finance arrangement.

The Liverpool board is scheduled to meet later this week to discuss the issue of the club's sale.

Liverpool Frustrated With Public Posturing Of Potential Buyers

Liverpool's hierarchy is becoming increasingly frustrated with the way in which potential buyers of the club are conducting themselves in the media, according to a report from The Independent.

The investment bankers seeking to sell the club are understood to be annoyed at interested parties trying to win a public relations battle rather than work towards a deal.

Martin Broughton, the Liverpool chairman, is believed to concur and has been irritated by the public remarks of interested parties.

One bid is being put together by Syrian businessman Yahya Kirdi, who has insisted that he "is not a cowboy" and that he has not made an offer of £600 million for the Reds.

"I can't pay one pound more than value of Liverpool," said the man whose bid is reportedly backed by "big names" from Canada and the Middle East.

The names of those involved have not been revealed, with Kirdi claiming that they wish to remain anonymous until the situation is resolved.

With the Liverpool board scheduled to meet at Anfield on Wednesday, there is still no evidence that any bids for the club will have been tabled by that time.

Meanwhile, another potential buyer, Hong Kong businessman Kenny Huang, has found his bid mired in controversy.

Following accusations this week that the bid would be backed by the China Investment Corporation, the Chinese state’s sovereign wealth arm, The Daily Telegraph also reports that Huang was the subject of lawsuit in the United States from a former business partner.

The case took place in Florida in 1999, with Huang, who at the time was a resident of Las Vegas, ordered to pay damages of $750,000 (£473,000) along with interest £788,300 (£497,000)

A spokesman for Huang has reportedly confirmed to The Telegraph that the case took place but refused to reveal the nature of the dispute or the business venture.

US Court records apparently list Huang as being involved in several other legal disputes over the last few years, though his representatives have been at pains to stress that he had not been found liable and that there are no outstanding proceedings against him.

The New York investment house the Rhone Group and the Kuwaiti Al-Kharifi family are also reported as potential buyers of the club.

Liverpool Sale Plot Thickens After Kenny Huang Lawsuit Is Revealed

Potential Liverpool owner Kenny Huang was successfully sued for nearly $800,000 (£505,000) in damages by a former business partner after their relationship went sour.

The adverse court finding emerged as Huang was preparing to present Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton with an offer for the club and proof of funds ahead of a board meeting on Thursday that may decide the fate of the club.

Huang’s bid has been clouded in uncertainty since it was made public amid claims that it would be backed by investment from the China Investment Corporation, the Chinese state’s sovereign wealth arm.

On Tuesday Huang’s associate on the bid, Marc Ganis, added to the confusion, telling sportingintelligence.com that they had not yet decided whether to make an offer for the club and that no investors, including CIC, had yet been identified.

Huang is one of four potential bidders for Liverpool. Also understood to be considering offers are Syrian businessman Yahya Kurdi, who said on Tuesday he would not offer “one pound more” than the club are worth, New York investment house the Rhone Group, and the Kuwaiti Al-Kharifi family.

The Liverpool board are scheduled to meet to discuss any offers they receive on Wednesday having asked for proof of funds and detailed offers by then.

None of the potential bidders has yet provided proof of funds, though they are all understood to have been subject to background checks by parties involved in the sales process.

The adverse judgment against Huang was handed down in January 1999 by a circuit judge in Seminole County, Florida, and relates to a dispute with a former business associate, Yudong Zhang, and a company, T&K Guang Xin Enterprises.

According to the judgment, a copy of which has been seen by Telegraph Sport, Huang, then a resident of Las Vegas, was ordered to pay damages of $750,000 (£473,000) and interest of $788,300 (£497,000).

On Tuesday night a spokesman for Huang confirmed that the court had found against him in the case but declined to discuss what the source of the dispute was or the nature of the business venture.

Neither could he confirm whether Huang was appealing against the judgment, but he said Huang disputed that the money was owed to his former associates.

Huang has also recently won a legal dispute arising from his involvement in an attempt by a Chinese-owned car company to establish itself in the United States.

Huang was faced with suits for tortious interference with a business relationship, fraud, defamation and a breach of fiduciary duty brought by AutoChina Ltd, but won them all and was awarded $300,000 (£189,000) in damages earlier this year.

According to transcripts of the hearings, held in Miami in March, one of those behind the allegations was David Herzig, who is listed as a co-director in one of Huang’s firms, Aspen Infrastructure.

US Court records list Huang as being involved in several other court proceedings in the last six years. Huang’s spokesman said on Tuesday evening that he had not been found against in any of them, and that there were no outstanding legal proceedings against him.

“Mr. Huang’s focus is now on preparing QSL’s bid [for Liverpool] and he has briefed all of his advisers that he will be making no further comment at this point in time,” the spokesman said.

Earlier Ganis indicated that a bid was not certain. In an exchange with sportingintelligence.com, he said: “Among the most important points I have tried to get out is that no proposal [in relation to a Liverpool bid] has been made and no decision to offer a proposal has been made.

“There were many reports about CIC, yet at no time to [any] party, whether [to] the media, Sir Martin [Broughton] or Barcap, have we ever identified that CIC was an investor.”

Liverpool Bidder Kirdi Won't Pay Over The Odds

Prospective Liverpool owner Yahya Kirdi insists he will not pay any more for the club than it is worth and has warned any takeover would take "at least two months".

A range of groups have expressed interest in taking over Liverpool, and Kirdi issued a statement earlier this week saying he was "in advanced negotiations with Thomas Hicks and George Gillett, co-owners of Liverpool Football Club, to purchase 100% of the club".

Kirdi, though, has said the current owners have rejected two of his bids since they put the club up for sale in April and warned he would not overpay for the club.

"I can't pay one pound more than value of Liverpool," Kirdi told Bloomberg. "I'm not crazy."

Soccernet understands chairman Martin Broughton has yet to recommend a bidder on behalf of the board as he has yet to see proof of funds from any of the prospective bidders, and Kirdi has indicated that there is no prospect of a deal being completed before the close of the transfer window.

"I want at least two months, two months to see everything," he said. "After that if everything is OK it's a deal. If not, thank you very much."

He added: "I trust Martin Broughton and he'll decide who's good for Liverpool."

Given the negative perception of Hicks and Gillett among the club's supporters, Kirdi has said he is not "a cancer who takes money out of Liverpool".

"I've liked them since I was young," he said. "It's not important for me that I'm the owner of Liverpool. Whoever takes Liverpool must do good for the club."

Kirdi also said he felt new manager Roy Hodgson's more genial style would be far better for the club than the approach employed by his predecessor, Rafael Benitez.

"Rafael didn't do anything good for Liverpool," Kirdi said. "Hodgson is very good for Liverpool because he's not some kind of dictator."

The Royal Bank of Scotland could take charge of Liverpool if the club is not sold by October 6.

Fitness Is Key For Liverpool FC, Says Roy Hodgson

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has pin-pointed the key to success this season – simply keeping his key players fit.

Pivotal among them will be striker Fernando Torres, who in three seasons with the Reds has yet to get through an entire campaign injury-free.

Last season was the Spain international’s worst to date on Merseyside as he struggled with a groin problem before Christmas and then underwent two knee operations in four months, the second of which prematurely ended his domestic involvement.

Other players missed sections of last season with captain Steven Gerrard, defenders Daniel Agger, Martin Skrtel and Fabio Aurelio and now-departed Yossi Benayoun affected.

It is something Hodgson knows he has little control over but he hopes, with the medical staff having had an overhaul during the summer with a new head of sports science in Dr Peter Brukner, that fitness will improve and bring more success on the pitch.

“It’s to do with the quality of the sports science and medical department,” said the 62-year-old. “Ours is very, very good, so I am sure that will be an enormous benefit.

“The other thing is how big a squad you’ve got to enable players to be rested when they need it, and to ensure they’re not being thrown into situations all the time where really and truly they’d have been better off having a rest.

“If we are to proceed in the Europa League (Liverpool face Trabzonspor in a two-legged play-off) it is going to mean an awful lot of matches, so the strength and size of our squad will be of vital importance.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re Fernando Torres or anybody else, to play three games a week for something like 35-40 weeks of the year is an impossible task at the level we’re playing at.

“But matches are won by players who go out onto the field; the better the players you’ve got to put on the field, the more chance you have of winning matches.

“In this convoluted world of football today we try to find excuses and reasons for things all over the place and forget sometimes the most important people in the game of football are those guys you pay to go and watch.”

One player who has experienced his fair share of injuries at Anfield is Aurelio.

The time he spent off the field contributed to former boss Rafael Benitez not giving him a new contract at the end of the season.

However, with cover at left-back thin on the ground the Brazilian has been given a second chance by Hodgson, who re-signed him last month.

“When you are in a top side like Liverpool you will always have competition for your place,” Aurelio said.

“I know they are looking for another full-back but if I can concentrate on my job and do well, hopefully that can convince the boss that I can be the first choice.

“I am thankful to the manager that I am back here.

“He wanted me to come back and now I want to repay him on the pitch, where I hope to be for most of the time this season.”

Hodgson Eyes Free And Easy Brazilian

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is monitoring former Sao Paulo defender Aislan who is available on a free transfer after being released by the club. The Anfield club tried to sign the defender in 2008 but baulked at the £10 million asking price.

The 6ft 4in defender was close to agreeing a new deal at the Brazilian club but instead opted to reject the offer of a new contract and look to find a new club in Europe, with Liverpool confirmed admirers of the talented youngster.

The tall Brazilian defender has reputation for being a commanding ball playing centre-back, who at the age of 22-years-old has been tipped for a big future in the game. Hodgson is looking at adding bodies to his squad and is weighing up a number of defensive options.

The reds manager is also thought to be looking at Paul Sharner, who is also a free agent having been released by Wigan Athletic.

Di Matteo Still Hopeful Over Ngog

West Brom boss Roberto Di Matteo has revealed he is still working on a deal to sign Liverpool striker David Ngog.

West Brom have been linked with a loan move for Ngog throughout the summer but, after his brace at Rabotnicki Kometal, Roy Hodgson said he had no intention of allowing him to leave.

Di Matteo has said he is looking at several options as he attempts to bolster his squad for the new season but he is still hopeful of agreeing a deal for Ngog.

"Ngog is a player we've been linked with and we are working on that one," he said. "We're trying. It's ongoing. We are looking at a number of players we would like to sign."

Liverpool Ready To Sell Alberto Aquilani

Liverpool are prepared to part ways with midfielder Alberto Aquilani after just one season, according to The Mirror and LaRoma24.it.

The Italian arrived at the English Premier League side last summer for a hefty €20 million from Roma, but spent the first half of the season struggling with injury and only showed flashes of his talent in the latter part of the 2009-10 campaign. Due to his injuries and loss of form he lost out on a place in Italy's squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The Reds could sell the 26-year-old for just over half of what they paid for him, in order to gather the funds to make a bid for Belgian starlet Steven Defour.

Thus far, Liverpool have managed to hold on to a number of their stars this summer despite not qualifying for the Champions League, although Reds boss Roy Hodgson has admitted that Javier Mascherano is a prime candidate to leave.

Barcelona To Offer Liverpool Alexander Hleb As Makeweight For Javier Mascherano

With Inter Milan having rules themselves out of signing Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano, Barcelona are favourites to land the Argentinian and will offer former Arsenal man Alexander Hleb in part-exchange.

Mascherano has reportedly told Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson that he would like to leave Anfield. However, Hodgson has made it clear that the club, not the player will decide the terms of Mascherano's exit.

Barcelona attempted to sign the 26-year-old last summer and now Mascherano has reignited the possibility of a move to the Nou Camp with his representative in Spain Horacio Zandonadi saying, "The player would love to hear from Barca."

Reports in several Spanish dailies suggest that Barcelona are keen on capturing Mascherano and see him as the natural battling midfielder to fill the hole left by Yaya Toure, who left for Manchester City this summer.

However, Barcelona are reluctant to pay the expected 20 million Euro fee that Liverpool will demand. Newspaper Mundo Deportivo suggests that Barcelona will offer a cut-price 9.5million euros plus midfielder Hleb. The 29-year-old Belarus international had a relatively successful loan spell at Stuttgart last season, having failed to establish himself at the Nou Camp.

Liverpool Join Race For Fiorentina Midfielder Mario Bolatti

According to a report in Argentinian newspaper Ole, Premier League giants Liverpool are considering making a move for highly rated midfielder Mario Bolatti, currently under contract with Fiorentina.

The Reds are in the market for a new midfielder because of the possible departure of Javier Mascherano this summer and new manager Roy Hodgson supposedly sees the 25-year-old Bolatti as the perfect replacement.

Bolatti started his professional career with Belgrano and also played for Porto and Huracan before joining Fiorentina in January 2010. However, he has been unable to settle in his new surroundings and could therefore be on the move again.

The Argentinian international initially appeared to be on his way to River Plate on a one-year loan deal, but Liverpool's interest could very well convince Bolatti to stay in Europe after all.

Standard Chartered Eager For Liverpool FC To Bank Full Sponsorship Payment

Standard Chartered Bank relishes paying £20m to Liverpool FC this season – an indication the Anfield club has achieved a successful campaign.

The bank agreed a four-year £80m performance-related shirt sponsorship with Liverpool starting this season with remuneration linked to on-field achievements.

A repeat of last season’s lacklustre fortunes is unlikely to result in a maximum return under the terms of the deal, but Standard Chartered chairman John Peace is full of optimism.

“I would be disappointed if we did not have to pay up this year. We didn’t pay for poor results. I think Liverpool will have a great season.”

Standard Chartered’s pedigree extends to more than 150 years trading across the former British Empire in India and Asia, which is still its main business focus.

And self-confessed “soccer fan” Mr. Peace said Liverpool and the bank have much in common: “I came up to Liverpool some months ago to finalize the contract and one thing that struck me was how closely aligned the heritage of Liverpool and Standard Chartered is. We both care about the communities in which we serve.”

He believes both bank and club can prosper, particularly in the Asian and Far Eastern markets, where Liverpool’s brand is already assured.

Mr. Peace was in Hong Kong last week to announce the bank’s interim results, live on Chinese TV, which saw a 10% increase in pre-tax profits of £1.96bn.

He said: “I made quite a feature of our sponsorship with Liverpool and referred to them quite a lot and the fact that Torres will stay with the club.

“I think the fans should realize just how big Liverpool is in the Far East.”

Mr. Peace said it was too early for the bank to evaluate a return from its sponsorship, but added: “Judging by what has happened in the Press the last few weeks and the shots of the players in the shirts on TV, I think it bodes very well indeed.”

And he is keen to increase exposure for both parties in the bank’s main business arena: “I would love to see the club do a tour in the Far East and we would get right behind that and make it a success.”

Speaking of Liverpool’s successful entry into the Europa League against FC Rabotnicki last week, he said: “I was delighted with the result and thought the game had many high points.

“From a commercial view and the way Liverpool are promoting our name, I was proud to be associated with them.

“I am a big fan of Kenny Dalglish and have the memory of Liverpool being the most successful club in Britain. We should not go backwards to get back to where we were, but build on all the things we have achieved.”

Sahara Group Drop Out Of Race To Take Over Liverpool

The Sahara Group have dropped out of the running to complete a takeover of Liverpool after expressing initial interest earlier in the year.

The conglomerate - fronted by Subrata Roy - were understood to be one of six parties eager to oust American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks this summer. Speaking to Bloomberg, however, spokesman Abhijit Sarkar declared that no deal would be completed by the Indian company after the club asked prospective buyers to submit information of how a move would be financed.

He said: "The deal for acquisition of the Liverpool Football Club was in our consideration in the recent past.

"However, after considering all related factors, we have decided not to go ahead with it, at least for the time being."

Yahya Kirdi Liverpool Takeover To Be Completed By Premier League Kick Off

Syrian businessman Yahya Kirdi expects to conclude his takeover of Liverpool before their Premier League campaign kicks off this weekend, according to Sky Sports News.

The Anfield outfit has been put up for sale after American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks ran up huge debt to the Royal Bank of Scotland. Chinese sports entrepeneur Kenny Huang was believed to be the front runner to gain control of the club, but a spokesman for the Middle Eastern millionaire has stated a deal will be agreed with all parties within the next few days.

Kirdi - who is based in Canada - is fronting a consortium of North American and Middle Eastern investors. He is understood to have promised to pay for a new stadium and clear all debt.

A meeting with the American owners, Kirdi's group, chairman Martin Broughton and RBS is expected within the next few days. The ex-Syria international is believed to want a deal in place before Arsenal travel to Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

Elsewhere, Kenny Huang's rival consortium has approached the 'Spirit of Shankly' supporters group to arrange a face to face meeting. A statement on their website read: "We cautiously welcomed the approach and restated our position, made clear recently that we are keen to engage with those charged with selling the club and any credible potential purchasers.

"We recognize that the intentions of any potential purchasers need to be thoroughly examined prior to any purchase of the club and involvement and discussion with supporters is the key to that.

"However, the club, their agents and any potential purchasers need to recognize where the supporters' organizations came from - they were born out of the betrayal by the current owners of promises they made when they purchased the Club and their action and behaviour afterwards."