LFC Talk

Reports today claim that one of Liverpool’s two American owners has been engaged in takeover discussions with a Kuwaiti billionaire.

The Al-Kharafi family has an estimated wealth in the region of £9bn. Rafed Al-Kharafi, nephew of patriarch Nasser, is the man named as the significant player in the prospective deal. He also made enquiries as to the possibility of purchasing Newcastle United from Mike Ashley last year.

The club’s American owners are said to want £550m for the Anfield club – almost £300m more than they originally paid to complete their takeover.

Finance director Philip Nash and commercial director Ian Ayre, are reported to have been in Asia looking for prospective funding for the club’s faltering stadium plans. It is unclear on what basis the money would come, whether it would be a partial or complete takeover with either of Hicks or Gillett leaving the club. Nash and Ayre are said to be firmly behind Tom Hicks, which would suggest that they are working on his behalf.

After having their bank loan repayment of £350m delayed for a further six months, it is believed that the American pair are still very keen to sell having seen negotiations with DIC end.

According to reports, Rick Parry and George Gillett have not become involved in any discussions with the Al-Kharafi family as yet.