Gillett and Hicks (ownership saga)

[ticklemeclemo]

Excuse my ignorance, but if Hicks and Gillette have appointed different banks to find buyers for the club, will the money required to pay the bankers fees be paid for by G+H, or by the club itself as some sort of dividend?

[satmann]

Excuse my ignorance, but if Hicks and Gillette have appointed different banks to find buyers for the club, will the money required to pay the bankers fees be paid for by G+H, or by the club itself as some sort of dividend?

 

 

At the moment the money probelaar comes from the club similar to when they hired 2 lots of accountants.

 

When they do manage to sell the club or their stakes the banks will I think take a commision from the profit left over.

[Cardie]

A rival European investor? don't like the sound of that, the arabs are richer than the Europeans in general so the Europeans can fuck off unless they have more money, last time we were about to sell to DIC and got gazumped by them clowns so I wouldn't want the same thing to happen again.

 

Sums up the thinking of supporters these days.

 

With the rumours of two possible investors surely the first consideration should be which one is better for the club not which one has the more money.

[Royal Family]

A rival European investor? don't like the sound of that, the arabs are richer than the Europeans in general so the Europeans can fuck off unless they have more money, last time we were about to sell to DIC and got gazumped by them clowns so I wouldn't want the same thing to happen again.

 

Please tell me you're joking?

 

Is this the same DIC who, when push came to shove, didn't come up with the money to invest? Who acted like petulant children when they didn't get a bargain deal? Who have spent the last 2 years destabilising this club? And, actually, who don't have the money to invest in vanity projects because Dubai is very seriously hit by the recession?

 

Or is that another DIC?

[Guest Kenny]

The telegraph back tracking a bit, yesterday it was a sale now its investment.

 

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks broadens search for Anfield buyer - Telegraph

 

 

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks broadens search for Anfield buyer

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks's search for a buyer for the club has not been confined to discussions with Kuwaiti businessman Nasser Al Khafiri.

 

 

By Paul Kelso

Last Updated: 11:56AM GMT 24 Jan 2009

Tom Hicks - Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks broadens search for Anfield buyer

No comment: Tom Hicks ® and Ian Ayre are understood to have held talks about a possible sale with more parties than the Al Khafiri family Photo: AP

 

Although Hicks declined to comment on the ongoing negotiations with the Al Khafiri family, it has become clear that the Texan has been conducting an increasingly desperate search for new investment since Christmas.

 

Hicks dispatched Liverpool's finance director Philip Nash to Kuwait this week to continue talks with the Al Khafaris, but The Daily Telegraph understands that he and Ian Ayre, the club's commercial director, have held talks with several other potential investors since the turn of the year.

 

Nash has been mandated by Hicks to talk to potential buyers alongside investment bank Merrill Lynch.

 

At least one European investor is thought to be interested in a potential purchase, and Gillett has appointed his own bankers, Rothschilds, to help with the search.

 

Hicks's intention is to find an investor to buy Gillett's 50 per cent stake and to pump money into the proposed £350 million move from Anfield to a new stadium.

 

It is thought Gillett is anxious to sell but Hicks is determined to remain on the board himself, perhaps with a reduced holding.

 

Sources insist that Gillett had been involved in the negotiations.

 

It remains to be seen if talks with the Al Khafaris continue following the revelation of their involvement. The family was close to a deal with the Americans in July last year but walked away suddenly.

 

The Al Khafiri family issued a statement last night denying they were in talks to buy Liverpool.

 

But the statement did not rule out the possibility that they were interested in taking a large stake in the club or investing in plans for the club's new ground.

[JMARKH]

Sums up the thinking of supporters these days.

 

With the rumours of two possible investors surely the first consideration should be which one is better for the club not which one has the more money.

 

Ye but money talks in football these days, if you haven't got the finances then the club is held back. We need someone who can get the stadium going straight away.

[JMARKH]

Please tell me you're joking?

 

Is this the same DIC who, when push came to shove, didn't come up with the money to invest? Who acted like petulant children when they didn't get a bargain deal? Who have spent the last 2 years destabilising this club? And, actually, who don't have the money to invest in vanity projects because Dubai is very seriously hit by the recession?

 

Or is that another DIC?

 

The DIC who would have had the stadium work underway and would have been more efficient than the yanks.

[Royal Family]

The DIC who would have had the stadium work underway and would have been more efficient than the yanks.

 

Well, I've seen no evidence of that at all. They're far from the 'white knights' that they cleverly spin themselves as being.

 

All i'm saying is let's rationally judge each potential investor / owner on their merits rather than jump to quick conclusions on basis of geography/race!

[JMARKH]

Well, I've seen no evidence of that at all. They're far from the 'white knights' that they cleverly spin themselves as being.

 

All i'm saying is let's rationally judge each potential investor / owner on their merits rather than jump to quick conclusions on basis of geography/race!

 

Fair enough.

[Lofts]

Well, I've seen no evidence of that at all. They're far from the 'white knights' that they cleverly spin themselves as being.

 

All i'm saying is let's rationally judge each potential investor / owner on their merits rather than jump to quick conclusions on basis of geography/race!

 

and money!

[Catch22]

The DIC who would have had the stadium work underway and would have been more efficient than the yanks.

 

 

DIC were out-negotiated by the Yanks.

If you lose a undervalued deal (& if you look at the falls in the world equity prices since then whilst our value has stayed constant then we were very cheap then) for a few extra quid for the present owner & a few extra perks for the incumbent management then you have been out-negoatited.

Preety standard M&A tactics.

 

Out-negotiated by those pair of jokers is hardly a good start.

[Brownie]

Boring!

[Anubis]

Ian Ayres in the Middle East? Is anyone else thinking....

 

U74s8nFE7No

[1892-LFCWasBorn]

My K key does work though. KNOB!!

 

Repped for a excellent retort. :laugh:

[Scott_M]

Where is this statement of denial? I can't see it anywhere

[Dougie Do'ins]

Where is this statement of denial? I can't see it anywhere

Just got this from BBC Sport.

 

Gillett (left) and Hicks may now be willing to sell

A Kuwaiti business group has denied reports it is in talks with the owners of Liverpool over a possible takeover.

 

Reds co-owner Tom Hicks had reportedly been in talks with Kuwait billionaire Nasser Al-Kharafi, who has an estimated £9bn fortune.

 

But Kharafi Group vice-president Loay Al-Kharafi has insisted no talks were held and the reports were incorrect.

 

Reports on Merseyside have suggested a prominent European businessman has also expressed an interest in Liverpool.

 

The reign of Hicks and his co-owner George Gillett, who value the club at around £550m, has been dogged by controversy since their £218m takeover in February 2007.

 

 

 

Benitez not distracted by off-field issues

BBC Sport understands that even though the relationship between Hicks and Gillett has been troubled, they may be united in their desire to sell at the right price.

 

And they are clearly on the look-out for new investors at the very least, even if Hicks stands by his intention of retaining a stake in the club.

 

The pair have appointed rival banks to try and find potential buyers, Merrill Lynch are on board with Hicks and Rothschilds with Gillett.

 

Their regime has become deeply unpopular among fans after early optimism, and the US tycoons have just been given an extra six months to repay a £350m loan from the Royal Bank of Scotland and Wachovia.

 

The current economic climate has left both banks in desperate trouble and any further refinancing is unlikely, while no other bank would be willing to offer such a loan. 606: DEBATE

Will Liverpool's title bid be affected by the uncertainty surrounding their future ownership?

 

Manager Rafael Benitez had public differences with the owners, who admitted they met former Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann when doubts emerged over his future.

 

Hicks also demanded the resignation of chief executive Rick Parry last season after labelling his time in charge "a disaster".

 

The pair's plans for a new stadium have also stalled after spiralling costs meant it would cost around £450m rather than the original estimate of £300m.

 

Benitez is currently locked in a contract wrangle with the Anfield hierarchy as he demands greater control over transfers at the club.

[Guest Kenny]

The media havent got a fuckin clue, yesterday it was a takeover todays its investment.

[Dougie Do'ins]

The media havent got a fuckin clue, yesterday it was a takeover todays its investment.

Wait and see what tomorrow brings.

[Scott_M]

That's not a statement of denial.

 

Bascombe will no doubt have something to say tomorrow.

[satmann]

Apparently someone on TIA is saying that they have a copy of the contract for KOP Limited which should show the veto etc. And all the conditions between the yanks.

[Bender]

THE Kuwaiti family currently in the running to buy into Liverpool FC has already done due diligence on the club’s finances, sources have revealed.

 

The Al-Kharafi family, whose £8bn fortune is based on construction and a number of holdings in the banking, fast food and tourism sectors, pulled out of a previous deal just before it was due to be signed in November, the Daily Post understands.

 

That means much of the background work has already been done, which could help speed up any sale.

 

Conflicting accounts emerged yesterday over whether a full sale of the club at a figure around £500m, or just a partial sale, was being discussed, while a rival European suitor is also understood to be in the mix.

 

Last night, the Spirit Of Shankly, the Liverpool FC supporters union, said any sale of the club should only be to “fit and proper owners, true custodians who would look after the values and traditions of our club, and treat it with the respect it deserves”.

 

LFC’s American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have appointed rival banks to try to find potential buyers – Merrill Lynch are working for Hicks, while Gillett has appointed Rothschilds.

 

The Daily Post understands that, although Hicks and Gillett have separate advisors, the pair are working “hand in hand”.

 

Philip Nash, the club’s financial director, has already travelled to the Middle East, and is understood to be holding discussions aimed at reducing the club’s debt in the first instance.

 

The Al-Kharafi family had previously been involved in talks to buy Newcastle.

 

They are led by two brothers, Nasser and Jassem, but the planned purchase of Liverpool is likely to be a project overseen by one of their sons.

 

And it has also emerged that Nasser claims to be a Liverpool fan.

 

He attended Liverpool College of Commerce before graduating with a Bachelor of the Arts degree in business administration.

 

Hicks and Gillett both now plan to attend the home game with Chelsea on February 1 when their objectives will be clearer, and they are also likely to try to revive contract negotiations with manager Rafael Benitez.

 

“There is definitely some activity going on, but where it is up to now is anyone’s guess,” said a club source.

 

Last night, Hicks declined to comment.

 

Gillett wanted to sell to Dubai International Capital last season, only to be thwarted by Hicks.

 

In the 50-50 partnership, both sides must agree on a deal to sell, and it is understood the pair have agreed to sell on the same terms.

 

The impetus to sell increases by the day, as the pair’s current re-financing loan of £350m with Royal Bank of Scotland, taken out when they bought the club two years ago, expires in July.

 

That loan was extended for six months at the beginning of the year, and the chances of negotiating a new loan are thought to be remote, but not totally out of the question.

Top Edit

[Anubis]

Where is this statement of denial? I can't see it anywhere

 

[bobhorse]

Prof Cannon should be strapped into one and aimed at Birkenhead from the Pier Head just to see if he can make it or not im sure he could work out whats needed for it to happen

 

 

The man is a wanker of the highets order wheeled out to spout shite on subjects he knows fuck all about but is a so called expert by Sky

 

He is the kind of Man that calls a Spade - An impliment for removing earth from one place and placing it in another place by manual means

[Fugitive]

Imminent!!!

[Section_31]

 

Haha ace.

 

 

Prof Cannon should be strapped into one and aimed at Birkenhead from the Pier Head just to see if he can make it or not im sure he could work out whats needed for it to happen

 

 

The man is a wanker of the highets order wheeled out to spout shite on subjects he knows fuck all about but is a so called expert by Sky

 

He is the kind of Man that calls a Spade - An impliment for removing earth from one place and placing it in another place by manual means

 

Great stuff. I hate cannon's hair, it looks like a facehugger from Aliens is just sitting on his head.