Friday, 6th August 2010
Liverpool are confident they should know who their preferred bidder is by the middle of next week. Chairman Martin Broughton is keen to see proof of funds from all interested parties amid rumour and counter-rumour about the wealth and backers of each respective bid.
Chinese tycoon Kenneth Huang remains the frontrunner at present and it has still not been confirmed or denied whether he is bankrolled by the Chinese government’s investment fund, as had been reported earlier this week. Behind Huang is Syrian businessman Yahya Kirdi, who has taken the unusual step of negotiating directly with the club’s American owners. Kirdi had the opportunity to conduct the process through Barclays Captial, who are managing the sale, but his close relationship with George Gillett allowed him to bypass Barclays.
Also believed to be in the running are the Rhone Group, private equity investors from New York and the Indian duo Mukesh Ambani and Subrata Roy. While the Indians are both billionaires and would likely look to acquire the club as much for pleasure as investment, the Rhone Group would perhaps be very much focused on a return and possible sale after the new stadium is built.
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