Liverpool takeover saga: Kirdi emerges as front runner
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Liverpool takeover saga rumbles on as Syrian Yahya Kirdi emerges as front runner ahead of Kenny Huang
Liverpool's topsy-turvey summer took a dramatic twist this morning with reports that a group of investors from the Middle East and Canada are poised to pip Kenny Huang to a full takeover of the club.
Just 24 hours after the saga appeared over, with Chinese tycoon Huang laying a formal bid on the table, it is understood Syria international Yahya Kirdi is in advanced talks with the Anfield hierarchy.
Boardroom battle: Yahya Kirdi (left) has emerged as a front-runner ahead of Kenny Huang (right) in the fight for Liverpool ownership
Kirdi's group are negotiating with co-owners George Gillet and Tom Hicks, and are close to finalising a purchase price, repayment of debt and financing for Liverpool's planned new stadium in Stanley Park.
Huang's offer of below £300m is almost half the amount being sought by the American duo which is why Gillet is understood to have introduced Kirdi to senior Anfield staff and the Royal Bank of Scotland, to which the club owes a reported £250m.
'Liverpool is a massive football club with passionate and proud fans in Merseyside and in every part of the world,' Kirdi, a Unicef representative, is quoted as saying on Sky Sports News.
Boost: Liverpool's Fernando Torres committed his future to the Anfield cause
'With additional money to improve the squad and financing in place to build the new stadium, Liverpool will be on a solid foundation to compete in the Premiership and in Europe for years to come.'
The unpopular Liverpool owners put the club up for sale in May, appointing Martin Broughton as chairman to oversee the process. Barclays Capital have also been hired to assist.
Star man Fernando Torres yesterday offered some hope to the Anfield faithful by committing his future to the club.
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Yahya Kirdi claims advanced takeover talks with Liverpool co-owners
Syrian businessman Yahya Kirdi says he's in talks about a Liverpool buyout.
Kirdi, who represents a group of investors from the Middle East and Canada, has said a price has been agreed and a formal purchase agreement "is in the final stage of negotiation".
A statement from Kirdi said: "The group is in advanced negotiations with Thomas Hicks and George Gillett, co-owners of Liverpool Football Club, to purchase 100 per cent of the club.
"Agreement has been reached on all major terms including the purchase price, repayment of the existing bank debt from RBS and Wells Fargo and financing of a new stadium in Liverpool's Stanley Park. A formal purchase agreement between the parties is in the final stage of negotiation."
Kirdi is a resident of Canada and a former Syria international who oversees investments in Europe and North America on behalf of his investor group, said the statement.
"Liverpool is a massive football club with passionate and proud fans in Merseyside and in every part of the world," said Kirdi.
"With additional money to improve the squad and financing in place to build the new stadium, LFC will be on a solid foundation to compete in the Premiership and in Europe for years to come."