The Middle East consortium bidding to buy Liverpool last night claimed George Gillett reneged on a £420million takeover after a deal was agreed.
The group, backed by one of the UAE’s ruling royal families, says Gillett’s partner Tom Hicks was ready to green-light the proposal until Gillett scuppered the agreement.
Gillett and Hicks yesterday put Liverpool up for sale.
And the Americans deny claims by the group – fronted by former Syria international Yahya Kirdi – that they nearly did a deal six weeks ago. Former Celtic captain Andy Lynch, who is the go-between for the consortium and the club, claims Kirdi and his backers remain interested.
“It was all done and dusted until that late swing in events,” said Lynch. “Recent events, which have seen Liverpool put on the open market, prove they need new investment.
“And there do not appear to be any other bidders bar ourselves. I’m ready to go at the drop of a hat.”
Hicks and Gillett, who have plunged the Reds £237m in debt, dispute Lynch’s claims and say they are selling up because Liverpool need new owners to take them to the “next level”.
In a joint statement, which has been welcomed by Kopites who have campaigned for the unpopular Americans to go, they said: “Having grown the club this far we have now decided together to look to sell the club to owners committed to take the club through its next level of growth and development.”
Industry heavy hitter and BA chairman Martin Broughton has been brought in to oversee the sale as the new chairman.
Hicks and Gillett have been forced to put Anfield on the market after rejecting the Rhone Group’s £110m offer for a 40 per cent stake.
The group, backed by one of the UAE’s ruling royal families, says Gillett’s partner Tom Hicks was ready to green-light the proposal until Gillett scuppered the agreement.
Gillett and Hicks yesterday put Liverpool up for sale.
And the Americans deny claims by the group – fronted by former Syria international Yahya Kirdi – that they nearly did a deal six weeks ago. Former Celtic captain Andy Lynch, who is the go-between for the consortium and the club, claims Kirdi and his backers remain interested.
“It was all done and dusted until that late swing in events,” said Lynch. “Recent events, which have seen Liverpool put on the open market, prove they need new investment.
“And there do not appear to be any other bidders bar ourselves. I’m ready to go at the drop of a hat.”
Hicks and Gillett, who have plunged the Reds £237m in debt, dispute Lynch’s claims and say they are selling up because Liverpool need new owners to take them to the “next level”.
In a joint statement, which has been welcomed by Kopites who have campaigned for the unpopular Americans to go, they said: “Having grown the club this far we have now decided together to look to sell the club to owners committed to take the club through its next level of growth and development.”
Industry heavy hitter and BA chairman Martin Broughton has been brought in to oversee the sale as the new chairman.
Hicks and Gillett have been forced to put Anfield on the market after rejecting the Rhone Group’s £110m offer for a 40 per cent stake.
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