Liverpool FC Forum

by **tubby** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 11:14 pm

Woollyback wrote:apparently the deal is now £450,050,000

there will be £50k extra for someone to shoot salif diao

sounds like my kind of deal, where do we sign?

Imagine if hes still with us come next season.

by **Cool Hand Luke** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 11:17 pm

bavlondon wrote:
Woollyback wrote:apparently the deal is now £450,050,000

there will be £50k extra for someone to shoot salif diao

sounds like my kind of deal, where do we sign?

Imagine if hes still with us come next season.

His contract expires in the summer.

by **Woollyback** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 11:22 pm

Cool Hand Luke wrote:
bavlondon wrote:
Woollyback wrote:apparently the deal is now £450,050,000

there will be £50k extra for someone to shoot salif diao

sounds like my kind of deal, where do we sign?

Imagine if hes still with us come next season.

His contract expires in the summer.

thank f*ck for that

by **RedorDead** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 11:53 pm

As a life long Liverpool fan I have been very concerned about all the talk of investment over recent years.
My love for the club comes from watching the history we created in the late seventies and through the eighties and while times weren't quite so rosey in the nineties we seem to be on teh up again and have achieved that fifth European Cup.....all done with that almost small club mentallity, that family feel if you like.
Would a huge influx of foreign money destroy that ethos? Would we lose that identity and history? For a while I thought we would but I have come round I have to admit. Liverpool Football Club must be in the European elite and competing for domestic honours including the league, the simple fact of modern times is that without money that is not possible and while Chelsea, Man Utd and Villa and even Portsmouth and West ham have secured massive deals for prolonged investment we seemed to be lagging. We cannot afford to fall by the way side, we cannot afford to allow other clubs to overhaul us and send us on a downward spiral in the league. I read an interesting point the other day, that man Utd get 32,000 more supporters at every home game then we do...I mean that is incredible, how much revenue does that generate? Again the thought of leaving Anfield is not a pleasant one but again I feel it is imperitive if we are to stay at the top of world football.
With that in mind I think this latest talk should be welcomed and treated with great excitement. One thing I have learnt is that while mistakes are sometimes made Moores and Parry have only the clubs interest at heart and they know very well what Liverpool Football Club means to us all and I trust them implicity. They have not acted rashly or prematurely but have waited for the right deal at the right time.
I don't know a lot about Dubai and these investors other than they are extremely wealthy but from what I have read today they seem keen to preserve our history and that sentiment can only be welcomed.
Regardless, I will always love this club and if overseas investment is what it takes for us to survive in these mobern times then that is what must happen.

by **Woollyback** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 12:19 am

RedorDead wrote:One thing I have learnt is that while mistakes are sometimes made Moores and Parry have only the clubs interest at heart and they know very well what Liverpool Football Club means to us all and I trust them implicity. They have not acted rashly or prematurely but have waited for the right deal at the right time.

i think you've hit the nail on the head there; plenty of investors seem to have tried to buy into LFC without much joy. it would appear that for moores & parry simply having the cash available didn't necessarily make the perfect investor. i genuinely believe they've held out for the right deal for our club and i do trust their judgement. no-one can question moores' liverpool credentials, and i think parry has proved himself to be a very VERY shrewd man, illustrated perfectly by his role in bringing in benitez and bringing back gerrard from the brink of going to chelsea

the fact that DIC (god i wish they weren't called that

) are ultimately owned by a man with the kind of money abramovich has wet dreams about is also a little bit of a plus too :buttrock

by **Reg** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 12:21 am

The point folks havent raised is WHY we need a cash injection when the business plan has worked well for the past 30 years.

In short the Premiership is unsustainable, wages are too high, transfer fees too high and a very vague relationship between spending dosh and return on investment. Hence funds are drying up, market distortions such as Abramovich have put massive pressure on clubs to gain access to greater cash (Man U being the most obvious example plus the other take-overs) and boardroom bustups.

Yes we need the A-rab cash but not because we are a successful club, but becuase if we dont get it we never will be again.

by **Woollyback** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 12:29 am

Reg wrote:The point folks havent raised is WHY we need a cash injection when the business plan has worked well for the past 30 years.

In short the Premiership is unsustainable, wages are too high, transfer fees too high and a very vague relationship between spending dosh and return on investment. Hence funds are drying up, market distortions such as Abramovich have put massive pressure on clubs to gain access to greater cash (Man U being the most obvious example plus the other take-overs) and boardroom bustups.

Yes we need the A-rab cash but not because we are a successful club, but becuase if we dont get it we never will be again.

the football industry has changed beyond all recognition in the last 10 years. abramovich is a symptom rather than a cause so i wouldn't worry about the effect he's had. but unless we get with the times and recognize that we'll end up being yesterday's team. don't get me wrong i wish we could do it "the old way" but it's just not going to happen any more i'm afraid. we need the money, full stop. liverpool football club is a massive marketing & business opportunity for D.I.C.

ideal bed partners, if y'ask me

by **Reg** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 12:39 am

I was discussing with a senior UEFA man last year (a mutual friend's wedding) and he said UEFA was extremely concerned about the financial state of european football - Italian clubs basically bust, Spanish going the same route etc.. Bear in mind these clubs dont get the same tv deals we get. Also the official sponsers are very worried and question a viable future in its current format.

Concerning marketing, apart from selling shirts, what marketing benefit do Spurs, Blackburn or Pompey sponsers get for their money?

by **J*o*n*D*o*e** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 12:50 am

You only have to hear John Moores speak about the club to know that LFC runs through his veins, this guy would never sell us down the river.

also lets not forget who where dealing with here, these people are no mugs, plus they aint in it for the money, they dont need it.

what they get in return is being associated with one of the biggest and respected football clubs in the world.

everyone`s a winner

by **Reg** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 12:59 am

J*o*n*D*o*e wrote:what they get in return is being associated with one of the biggest and respected football clubs in the world.

I dont quite see the connection between investing 450 million quid and just wanting to be connected with the club.

What is the common denominator between Abramovich and this Arab, they're not natural football fans nor come from football nations so why the need to spend mega millions in a foreign club? Is it a tax loss vehicle? Abramovich pumps cash into Chelsea, and doesnt accumulate debt. Why?

What is the link between these two and the yank who bought Utd?

We could be getting back into the untapped Chinese market potential thing again but thats hardly a global; business plan.

Tell you what though, if there is going to be a european super league breakaway we're now in pole position. Cash in place!!

by **The_Rock** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 2:00 am

That's it....we are gonna win the premier league and champions league for the next 10 years...

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=394580&cc=3888

Maktoums close in on £450m Liverpool takeover

Liverpool are on the verge of agreeing to a takeover by one of the world's richest men in a move that would set the Merseyside club back on the road to being a football superpower.

The club have confirmed they have given exclusive rights to Dubai International Capital (DIC) - a firm owned by the fabulously-wealthy Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai - to launch a takeover bid.

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry said the takeover holds the key to the club's new stadium and being able to compete with the richest clubs in the world.

DIC have been given permission to conduct due diligence - to have their lawyers and accountants examine the club's accounts in detail - and are expected to submit a formal offer soon after Christmas.

The offer is expected to be for a total of £450million - £170million for a controlling stake in the club, £80million to cover existing debts and £200million to go towards a new stadium in Stanley Park.

Parry said: 'This is the latest step on the road of finding the long-term investment that the club needs.

'DIC is a potential investor with the resources and philosophy that we believe could make them an ideal partner.

'Already they have demonstrated a full understanding of, and respect for, the club's heritage and values.

'We also believe they share our passion for success. In particular, DIC believes in investing in the businesses it acquires. This is very important in terms of the proposed new stadium, which is key to plans for the regeneration of the local community.

'On the pitch, Liverpool remains focused on winning and, here again, this is all about doing a deal that gives us the long-term resources to do that.'

DIC's chief executive Sameer Al Ansari is a Liverpool fan who has been to matches on a number of occasions. He could possibly replace David Moores as club chairman, though it is thought Parry would remain as chief executive and Moores retain a senior position within the club.

Al Ansari said in a statement: 'DIC has a strong track record as a very serious investor with considerable resources at its disposal. At the same time, we are supporters - of the game and of the club.

'Liverpool's investment requirements have been well publicised and we hope we can agree a deal that will provide the club with the funds it needs, both on and off the pitch.'

DIC are one of half a dozen private equity firms buying up investments around the world on behalf of Dubai Holdings, which is owned by Sheikh Mohammed, who is also vice-president of the United Arab Emirates.

DIC recently bought Madame Tussauds for £750million and the Travelodge hotel chain.

The new stadium and injection of cash would see Liverpool be able to compete with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, who this season moved to the new 60,000-capacity Emirates stadium - Anfield's capacity is only 44,000.

Liverpool would now have the finances to move to a 60,000-capacity new stadium in Stanley Park.

Moores has conceded the only way to achieve the club's aim is to sell. He owns 51% of Liverpool and has always wanted to retain control and encourage investors to buy into the current set-up.

Sheikh Mohammed's fortune dwarfs that of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich - he is thought to be the fifth richest person in the world with a fortune of £5billion.

Manchester United, Chelsea, Portsmouth, Aston Villa, and most recently West Ham are the other Premiership clubs who have been taken over by foreign owners.

The lure of the £1.7billion 2007-2010 Premiership TV rights deal agreed with BSkyB and Setanta Sports is proving irresistible - it is comfortably twice the revenue from TV rights of any other country in the world.

by **Redsfan5** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 3:17 am

liverpools site says

No deal has yet been agreed and the detail of any transaction which may or may not include a formal offer by DIC for Liverpool Football Club is still to be confirmed.

The Club aims to keep Liverpool shareholders and supporters fully informed and will make a further statement as soon as possible.
Rick Parry, Chief Executive of Liverpool, said: "This is the latest step on the road of finding the long-term investment that the Club needs. DIC is a potential investor with the resources and philosophy that we believe could make them an ideal partner. Already they have demonstrated a full understanding of, and respect for, the club’s heritage and values. We also believe they share our passion for success. In particular, DIC believes in investing in the businesses it acquires. This is very important in terms of the proposed new stadium, which is key to plans for the regeneration of the local community. On the pitch, Liverpool remains focused on winning and, here again, this is all about doing a deal that gives us the long-term resources to do that."

by **AussieKopite** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 3:36 am

The_Rock wrote:That's it....we are gonna win the premier league and champions league for the next 10 years...

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=394580&cc=3888

Maktoums close in on £450m Liverpool takeover

Liverpool are on the verge of agreeing to a takeover by one of the world's richest men in a move that would set the Merseyside club back on the road to being a football superpower.

The club have confirmed they have given exclusive rights to Dubai International Capital (DIC) - a firm owned by the fabulously-wealthy Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai - to launch a takeover bid.

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry said the takeover holds the key to the club's new stadium and being able to compete with the richest clubs in the world.

DIC have been given permission to conduct due diligence - to have their lawyers and accountants examine the club's accounts in detail - and are expected to submit a formal offer soon after Christmas.

The offer is expected to be for a total of £450million - £170million for a controlling stake in the club, £80million to cover existing debts and £200million to go towards a new stadium in Stanley Park.

Parry said: 'This is the latest step on the road of finding the long-term investment that the club needs.

'DIC is a potential investor with the resources and philosophy that we believe could make them an ideal partner.

'Already they have demonstrated a full understanding of, and respect for, the club's heritage and values.

'We also believe they share our passion for success. In particular, DIC believes in investing in the businesses it acquires. This is very important in terms of the proposed new stadium, which is key to plans for the regeneration of the local community.

'On the pitch, Liverpool remains focused on winning and, here again, this is all about doing a deal that gives us the long-term resources to do that.'

DIC's chief executive Sameer Al Ansari is a Liverpool fan who has been to matches on a number of occasions. He could possibly replace David Moores as club chairman, though it is thought Parry would remain as chief executive and Moores retain a senior position within the club.

Al Ansari said in a statement: 'DIC has a strong track record as a very serious investor with considerable resources at its disposal. At the same time, we are supporters - of the game and of the club.

'Liverpool's investment requirements have been well publicised and we hope we can agree a deal that will provide the club with the funds it needs, both on and off the pitch.'

DIC are one of half a dozen private equity firms buying up investments around the world on behalf of Dubai Holdings, which is owned by Sheikh Mohammed, who is also vice-president of the United Arab Emirates.

DIC recently bought Madame Tussauds for £750million and the Travelodge hotel chain.

The new stadium and injection of cash would see Liverpool be able to compete with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, who this season moved to the new 60,000-capacity Emirates stadium - Anfield's capacity is only 44,000.

Liverpool would now have the finances to move to a 60,000-capacity new stadium in Stanley Park.

Moores has conceded the only way to achieve the club's aim is to sell. He owns 51% of Liverpool and has always wanted to retain control and encourage investors to buy into the current set-up.

Sheikh Mohammed's fortune dwarfs that of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich - he is thought to be the fifth richest person in the world with a fortune of £5billion.

Manchester United, Chelsea, Portsmouth, Aston Villa, and most recently West Ham are the other Premiership clubs who have been taken over by foreign owners.

The lure of the £1.7billion 2007-2010 Premiership TV rights deal agreed with BSkyB and Setanta Sports is proving irresistible - it is comfortably twice the revenue from TV rights of any other country in the world.

I just hope that we dont end up like Chelsea, in buying players we don't need to stop them playing for other clubs. Other than that, its all good. Although you know that if we win the prem in the next couple of years, we'll be told that we bought the prem (despite Stevie G & Carra leading the way...).

by **Bad Bob** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 3:41 am

As long as Rafa's not bombed out and there's no massive player clear-out to make way for a crop of Gallacticos, I'll welcome the new investment. An injection of cash is vital, a new stadium is necessary (sadly), a marketing blitz is acceptable but a mass turnover of coaching staff and players will feck me right off.

by **RedBlood** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 3:54 am

This is my very first post

I have spent many hours reading all your posts and it is a great pass time for when im in work lol, very informing and entertaining. On the possible buyout (not counting me chickenz) i welcome it, i too love what this club stands for but times change and the fact is we need the money. Im sure Moores and Parry have made the right choice (they've had long enough). We could never become Chelsea as we have history something they didnt have when abrama-bi-atch arrived. As long as Rafa is incharge we want pay silly money for reserve players and Rafa want buy players just to stop other teams getting them, he has his own mind.
To sum it up i feel this will put us back where we belong at the top of the tree [B]

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