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Gillett to sell Liverpool shares?
Published by Ian John on October 8, 2009
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Breaking news from Anfield today is that Liverpool co-chairman George Gillett has jetted off for a three day meeting with F6 Sport directors, including owner Prince Faisal, over the sale of his 50% stake in Liverpool Football Club, for a fee reported to be anywhere between £200m and £350m.
Prince Faisal, a recent guest of Gillett at the home game with Hull City, is the head of the F6 sport group, which have already held preliminary talks with Gillett over investment in his NASCAR operations back in America. It seems now that Faisal has given the go ahead to purchase all of Gillett’s stake in the Anfield club, with the possibility of dealing with the Reds other American owner Tom Hicks at a later date to discuss a potential complete buy out.
That certainly seems more likely than any united front between Hicks and the F6 group. Hicks and Gillett, despite being partners, have clashed on many issues at the club, notably the role of Rick Parry and with the F6 group making investment in a new stadium and new players a priority, while Hicks is favouring a more cautious approach, it seems hard to comprehend how a middle ground between the two owners could be found.
The news of the F6 takeover will be welcome news to Liverpool fans who feel the Americans have betrayed the promises made to the club when they took over. The added investment of the Saudi billionnaires money, plus work beginning on the oft delayed new ground, will finally give Liverpool the foundation needed to develop the club, so they can match the resources of clubs like Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City. Certainly manager Rafa Benitez will be hoping the takeover can be completed quickly and funds made available to strengthen his ailing side after their disappointing rather than disasterous start to the season.
Reports are suggesting that a deal between Gillett and F6 has been agreed in principle and these three days of talks will finalise the sale of Gillett’s stake. It will signal the dawn of a new partnership at Anfield between F6 and Tom Hicks and Reds fans will be hoping that while Prince Faisal may promise them money for a new stadium and money for players, perhaps the biggest crowd pleaser would be if he can persuade Tom Hicks to sell his shares in the club too.
Image Courtesy of ***Dark Raven307*** at Flickr.com
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