Another Buyer Claims Advanced Talks Over Liverpool Takeover

Reports on Wednesday have suggested that a consortium made up of Arabian and Canadian businessmen are looking into a possible takeover of the Reds, while Chinese tycoon Kenny Huang is also believed to be in the running.

Current co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks have been looking to offload the club for some time, but have yet to find a bidder willing to match their valuation.

However, interest appears to be mounting again and Keith Harris of Seymour Pierce has told Sky Sports News that one of his clients has expressed a desire to acquire the Merseyside giants.

He said: "All I am prepared to say is that we have looked at it very carefully on behalf of would-be buyers, who we know are very serious, we know are cash rich, we know have the right incentive and are prepared to take a long-term view. I can't say any more at the minute."

The interested party is reluctant to make themselves known publicly at present, but Harris believes that could help proceedings.

"That's not the way business should be done," he said when pressed on why those involved have refused to step forward.

"A few years ago this firm represented Randy Lerner acquiring Aston Villa and until the word got out, we hadn't said a word. The deal was then done quickly and decisively. There was then a public splash but it went quiet again.

"That's the right way football clubs should be dealt with. It's a huge media event when one changes hands. I don't think the media event should be the run up to that, it should be when it happens."

Harris has also questioned the figures being bandied around in regards to how much it would cost to take control at Anfield.

It has been claimed that £325million would be enough to push through a takeover, but Harris believes that sum is far too low.

He added: "The kind of prices I have read about do not properly value this asset and I doubt it would be sold for that. It sounds way too low for me."

Asked what it could take to gain control of the Reds, he said: "It depends entirely on the eyes of the would-be investor.

"What we know about Liverpool is that there is a sum of money required to acquire it and to deal with the debt situation. That frankly is a market trade - what can be paid, what can be accepted by the owners, what is acceptable ownership structure, who the people are.

"In the case of Liverpool there are then other considerations.

"There is a new manager and the previous manager was not short on money, he spent pretty liberally and didn't get a squad that was good enough, frankly. So there is an investment in the squad, how much does a new owner have to invest in the squad to get it to the standard which can challenge for a top four place, which I think Liverpool fans will rightly say they should be."