Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr will now accept a £100million
equity sale for as much 50 per cent of the shares at Anfield.
That is a massive drop from the £400m for a total buy-out they
were earlier pursuing.
The Americans had wanted to raise funds by selling a 25 per cent
stake for £100m but club sources have acknowledged that was a
non-starter as interested parties want a controlling interest.
A new buyer would still have to commit another £300m longer-
term to build the club a new 60,000-seater stadium at Stanley
Park.
But the drastic shift of the Americans' position has created a
new sense of optimism that a tumultuous era in the club's history
is finally coming to an end.
In another departure from the talks held with Dubai
International Capital in 2008, any money pumped into the club
through a share issue would reduce the club's debt rather than go
into the owners' pockets.
Hicks had earlier maintained he was looking for a 'minority
investor' but the landscape has changed.
Both Hicks and Gillett are more willing to dilute their holdings
to around 25 per cent each to allow a senior partner to end their
ill-fated partnership.
Liverpool are hoping there is finally some light at the end of
the tunnel, although serious questions remain both on and off the
pitch.
The future of manager Rafa Benitez is less secure than ever
following his frank admission he's 'proud' to be wanted by
Juventus.