According to The Sun, Reds co-owners Tom Hicks and
George Gillett are now mulling over a re-submitted £500million bid
from Dubai International Capital (DIC).
The Americans took control at Anfield in February 2007 and their
reign started brightly enough with the promise of a new stadium and
the record purchase of Fernando Torres from Atletico Madrid.
However, things soon turned sour.
The stadium plans have stalled and the investment in the transfer
market has plateaued. Relations between the co-owners and manager
Rafael Benitez are terse at best, while the majority of the club's
supporters are determined to see the Yanks booted out. And with the
credit crunch severely limiting the opportunity for profit, Hicks
and Gillett are supposedly seeking an escape route.
Enter Sheikh Mohammed - Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates,
seventh richest man in the world and perhaps the answer to
Liverpool's prayers.
The recent takeover of Manchester City by the Abu Dhabi United
Group, and their subsequent £32million purchase of Brazilian star
Robinho, has added a whole new threat to the upper echelon of the
Premier League.
The Reds have been hanging on desperately to their top-four spot
over the past few years, failing to properly challenge for the
title while flirting dangerously with the UEFA Cup slots.
Everton, Aston Villa and Tottenham are already knocking at the
door, and with City now willing to spend any amount necessary to
reach the top, the Merseyside giants will struggle to compete on
the transfer front.
Hence, with Hicks and Gillett in a weak position, the Sheikh's DIC
firm are ready to seize control of the club they have been eyeing
for the best part of two years.
This news, if proven accurate, will no doubt delight both Benitez
and much of the Liverpool fanbase.