Hicks 'in talks about Reds sale'

Magpie007 · 02-26-2008, 06:55 PM

Talks between Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks and Dubai International Capital about selling his share in the club are continuing, BBC Sport understands.
Hicks has again strenuously denied renewed claims that he plans to sell his 50% holding in the club.

But the American is believed to have held talks with DIC although they are not believed to have been given access to the club's accounts.

DIC may also try to buy out Hicks's partner George Gillett's 50% stake.

Though that may not be as simple as it sounds as an agreement between Hicks and Gillett is understood to give the other first refusal on the other's shares.

Andy Johnson · 02-26-2008, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magpie007

Talks between Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks and Dubai International Capital about selling his share in the club are continuing, BBC Sport understands.
Hicks has again strenuously denied renewed claims that he plans to sell his 50% holding in the club.

But the American is believed to have held talks with DIC although they are not believed to have been given access to the club's accounts.

DIC may also try to buy out Hicks's partner George Gillett's 50% stake.

Though that may not be as simple as it sounds as an agreement between Hicks and Gillett is understood to give the other first refusal on the other's shares.

Just a pair of DIC's if you ask me

'Chopper' · 02-27-2008, 09:08 AM

Post #6 http://www.footballchatforum.com/sho...=7033#post7033

'Chopper' · 03-04-2008, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Gillett (left) and Hicks have become unpopular among Liverpool fans
Liverpool's American owners have been accused of living in "dreamland" by the government-run Dubai investment fund interested in buying the Anfield club.

Dubai Investment Capital confirmed on Tuesday it had been in talks with US duo Tom Hicks and George Gillett about purchasing a stake in the Reds.

DIC chief executive Sameer al-Ansari said: "It's no secret that we have been in discussions with the current owners.

"It's not easy because (they) are in dreamland about valuations."

Al-Ansari later clarified that one of the club's owners "had come out of dreamland", without giving further details.

Texan billionaire Hicks said last month he was not planning to sell a stake in Liverpool, denying media speculation he was in talks with DIC over a sale.

He also revealed that Gillett could not sell his stake in the Premier League club without his approval.

However, both Hicks and Gillett have become increasingly unpopular among Reds fans, drawing criticism for their treatment of manager Rafael Benitez and their financial management of the club.

That has given fresh hope to DIC, who were considering buying Liverpool before the Americans joined forces to complete their own takeover in February 2007.

Hicks said in January he had talked to DIC "once" about a 10-15% stake, but DIC said the valuation was too high.

DIC are thought to want a controlling stake at Anfield, meaning they would need to convince Hicks to relinquish part of his 50% of the club as well as buying out Gillett.

Another obstacle is the refinancing package announced on 25 January that has loaded £105m of debt on to the club.

Of that, £60m is earmarked to kick-start the new stadium development at Stanley Park plus £45m for future player transfers and to meet the club's working capital needs.

DIC, which manages about £6.5bn of assets, is owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai.

Al-Ansari was the man behind the takeover bid a year ago and looked to have succeeded until then Liverpool owner David Moores suddenly opted to sell to the Americans.

"It took me two weeks to get over that," said al-Ansari, who is a Liverpool fan. "But it didn't dent my passion - I still go to every match when I'm here."

"they are in dreamland about valuations"

Yanks!

'Chopper' · 03-12-2008, 12:50 PM

Quote:

LIVERPOOL co-owner Tom Hicks has refuted claims that he blocked an attempt to have a fan installed on the Anfield board during negotiations with Dubai International Capital over their potential investment in the club.
It had been claimed by DIC sources that the issue was one of the reasons why talks between the two parties collapsed on Monday. A DIC insider maintained that the idea of a fan on the board did not appeal to Hicks' negotiators.

But the American has now issued a statement through his London-based advisors. It said: "With regard to a report today claiming that 'talks between (Tom Hicks] and Dubai International Capital collapsed after the Dubains proposed putting a fans' representative on the Anfield board', I can confirm after consultation with Mr Hicks and his representatives at the meetings with DIC that at no time during any such meetings did DIC propose, nor did Mr Hicks or his representatives reject, any such proposal."

This latest difference only underlines the problems there are between Hicks and DIC.

After a day of talks on Monday in Dubai, Hicks' representatives and DIC reached deadlock with the Texan finally breaking off negotiations.

The move came as a shock to DIC, but although they have avoided making any further public statements, it is believed they still want to buy into the club.

Hicks has also vetoed any move by his partner George Gillett to sell a 49 per cent stake in the club to DIC.

But DIC plan to investigate the legality of that move and still want to buy Gillett's stake.

The suggestion that a fan with full voting rights would be installed on the board followed meetings with supporters' groups on the Kop on Saturday, when a DIC representative watched the 3-0 win over Newcastle from the famous stand.

Hicks' reason for terminating talks yesterday was that he would "not be run by committee". He is believed to have also wanted DIC to be a virtual sleeping partner while contributing cash to build the stadium and future transfers.

However, high level sources at Liverpool believed they could see such a breakdown coming.

Hicks is now believed to be looking for other buyers in the United States for Gillett's shares, while DIC are confident that there will be more talks soon.

"With regard to a report today claiming that 'talks between (Tom Hicks] and Dubai International Capital collapsed after the Dubains proposed putting a fans' representative on the Anfield board', I can confirm after consultation with Mr Hicks and his representatives at the meetings with DIC that at no time during any such meetings did DIC propose, nor did Mr Hicks or his representatives reject, any such proposal." that's just flannel! He wants to run it himself and make all the decisions. Which is fair enough if he owns the club, why have a fan on the board with even one vote? It's Hick's & Gillett's club until they decide otherwise.

ArsenalFan · 03-27-2008, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Unsettled Liverpool co-owner George Gillett has launched a bid for a Major League Soccer franchise.

Gillett has teamed up with the owner of second division team Montreal Impact with a view to bringing a top-flight team to the city.

Impact president Joey Saputo has confirmed he is holding discussions with Gillett with a view to a deal which would see the pair split the $30million (£15m) franchise as well as sharing the cost of a $12m (£6m) expansion of the Saputo Stadium.

"I can confirm that we are in discussions with Gillett Entertainment Group as well as with Major League Soccer to bring an MLS franchise to Montreal," Saputo told the Daily Telegraph.

Anfield uncertainty

The move will throw Gillett's future at Liverpool into further doubt as uncertainty continues to surround his situation on Merseyside.

Gillett joined forces with fellow American Tom Hicks in February 2007 to buy Liverpool, but the pair have endured an unsettled relationship.

Dubai International Capital were keen to buy Gillett's half of the Premier League club earlier in March after he admitted he was unsettled at Anfield, but Hicks broke off discussions.

However, this latest venture suggests Gillett remains keen to look for alternative business opportunities.

Gillett has also held a majority share in the Montreal Canadiens ice hockey team since 2001.

From this report it looks like Gillett wants out of Anfield as soon as possible. Maybe discussions will start up with DIC again soon or some other party looking o buy in maybe??

This seems to be dragging out more than any transfer saga I've ever seen!!

lions · 03-27-2008, 03:12 PM

With regards to the veto of having a FOTB,I think its a marvelous as at Millwall they have a Fan On The Board which has not only worked well,it has also enabled us fans to have a further insight and more of an opinion to what happens to our club and the monies we pay into the club,which inturn has seen the club more stable than ever over the last five to six years.

As for all this up in the air ownership talk,i saw this coming aswell as thousands of red fans when the original sale took place hense the kop protests,not only will this damage the clubs dealings it will certainly leave the club unstabled and lacking further honours...........why oh why do people and companies do this?if they weren't truely into the deal then they should never of got involved in the first place.
The shame should fall square at their own feet rather than that of so called bad ideas.

02-26-2008, 06:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
Magpie007 Administrator Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Newcastle (ish) Posts: 1,353 Thanks: 5 Thanked 14 Times in 13 Posts Nominees Submitted: 0 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts Has Not Won Any TOTM Yet	Hicks 'in talks about Reds sale' Talks between Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks and Dubai International Capital about selling his share in the club are continuing, BBC Sport understands. Hicks has again strenuously denied renewed claims that he plans to sell his 50% holding in the club. But the American is believed to have held talks with DIC although they are not believed to have been given access to the club's accounts. DIC may also try to buy out Hicks's partner George Gillett's 50% stake. Though that may not be as simple as it sounds as an agreement between Hicks and Gillett is understood to give the other first refusal on the other's shares. __________________ http://www.zazzle.com/magpie007.

02-27-2008, 09:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
'Chopper' Semi-Pro Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Norwich, "A fine city! .... full of inbreds! Posts: 722 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Nominees Submitted: 0 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts Has Not Won Any TOTM Yet	Have a look at ........... Post #6 http://www.footballchatforum.com/sho...=7033#post7033 __________________ There *ARE* two teams in Edinburgh, Hearts .......... and Hearts reserves!

03-27-2008, 03:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
lions Graphics Moderator Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: sunny kent Posts: 620 Thanks: 8 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts	Unsettled With regards to the veto of having a FOTB,I think its a marvelous as at Millwall they have a Fan On The Board which has not only worked well,it has also enabled us fans to have a further insight and more of an opinion to what happens to our club and the monies we pay into the club,which inturn has seen the club more stable than ever over the last five to six years. As for all this up in the air ownership talk,i saw this coming aswell as thousands of red fans when the original sale took place hense the kop protests,not only will this damage the clubs dealings it will certainly leave the club unstabled and lacking further honours...........why oh why do people and companies do this?if they weren't truely into the deal then they should never of got involved in the first place. The shame should fall square at their own feet rather than that of so called bad ideas. __________________ In Life we dream,but in Football we beleive [quote:kate_wwfc] You made a wolves sig look fantastic your now a legend! Lions the Legend!

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