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.