Liverpool are reported to have held talks with Indian
billionaire Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao over a potential £500m
takeover at Anfield.
Hicks and Gillett: Need
readies for Reds.
Representatives of Rao's GMR Group were guests at the
Merseyside club earlier this week and witnessed the 4-4 draw with
Arsenal.
Rao, who has a fortuned estimated at over £4bn
and owns Indian Premier League Twenty20 cricket team Delhi
Daredevils, is understood to be a Liverpool fan and is reportedly
keen to invest in other sports, particularly English football.
The News of the World report that Liverpool co-owner
Tom Hicks opened negotiations with Rao initially with a view to
arranging a sponsorship deal, but the Indian businessman who made
his fortune in the airport and construction industries is thought
to be considering a major investment in the club which could lead
to an eventual takeover.
Hicks and his co-owner George Gillett could be forced to sell
Liverpool in July unless they can refinance £350m of loans the duo
took out in order to takeover the club.
The two US sports investors have endured a fractious
relationship since joining forces at Liverpool, arguing over the
governance and direction of the club, but recently have presented a
united front as they strive to attract new finance.
Liverpool are also understood to have held talks with a
Kuwaiti investment group, led by Naffer Al Kharafi.