Dubai International Capital eyes Liverpool

English Liverpool's American owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, might accept an offer from investment group, Dubai International Capital (DIC) in a deal that would see ownership of the club change hands for the second time in a year.

DIC, the private equity investment arm of state-owned Dubai Holding, led by Sameer Al Ansari, lost out to Americans in a bid for Liverpool last February, when the club's chief executive, Rick Parry, switched his support from the Dubai group to the Americans.

The American duo encounter difficulties in refinancing the GBP 350 million loan from the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBC), which is due in six-weeks and was used to fund several high-profile summer transfers, development work and architect's plans for a new stadium in Stanley Park, and to roll up the interest on the debt.

Both Hicks and Gillett, who are personally liable for the loan, have been attempting to rool the debt on to the club itself, but bankers claim that such refinancing would be almost impossible due to the global credit crunch.

According to the Observer, RBS have asked Hicks and Gillett each to pour-in GBP 20 million of their own cash to the deal, however both are now reportedly unwilling to inject the cash.

If the owners are unable to meet that deadline, it is understood that DIC would lodge an offer to buy out the American pair, probably for about GBP 500 million, what would bring both Gillett and Hicks to profit from their venture approximately GBP 75 million.

As unlikely as that is, a possibility that RBS themselves could become the next owners of the club has led to increased tension between the Americans and other board members, some of whom are reportedly open to a second takeover going through.

If successful, DIC would invest heavily in the new stadium and playing squad. It is also understood that DIC will acquire a new management team, with Jose Mourinho being a prime candidate.

Source: euFootball.BIZ © Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved.