This would be huge.
There have been rumours for many years that Liverpool have been the subject of a takeover bid backed by the Chinese government but now it appears to be finally becoming something of a reality.
Sky News, the Financial Times and the Sunday Times are all reporting that a state-owned Chinese company is in talks with current owner John W Henry over an £800m investment in the club.
China Everbright, a state-backed financial services conglomerate, is said to be eyeing a significant shareholding in the club, along with current owners, Fenway Sports Group.
According to the Sunday Times, the bulk of the investment would come from the China Investment Corporation (CIC), the country’s main sovereign wealth fund, whose assets are in excess of £600bn.
The exact details of the takeover attempt remain unclear but access to that kind of wealth would give Liverpool spending power on a scale never before seen at the club. They would conceivably have deeper pockets than any other Premier League club.
FSG are believed to have no intention of relinquishing full control of Liverpool, but they are reportedly open to the idea of selling a significant stake in the club.
The Financial Times reports that FSG have appointed financial advisors Allen & Co to advise and negotiate on the investment.
The deal is being put together by Amanda Staveley, who will be familiar to Liverpool fans from as she was involved in Dubai International Capital’s failed attempt to buy the club in 2008.
Staveley also helped broker Sheikh Mansour’s purchase of Manchester City in 2008.
“A preliminary offer is already understood to have been tabled by the Everbright consortium, according to one insider, with them pitching potential commercial opportunities for Liverpool in China,” Sky News report.
“If completed, a deal would represent one of the most significant investments to date by a Chinese company in one of English football’s biggest names.”
FSG took over the Merseyside outfit in 2010 and have time and again that the club is not for sale.
Liverpool are already said to have turned down a bid from a Chinese businessman earlier in the year but Sky News are suggesting that they are preparing for an eventuality which would come from a deal with the new consortium.
“A source close to FSG said Liverpool’s current owners had nevertheless engaged advisers to guide them on any serious discussions about a joint venture or partnership which involved the sale of an equity stake.”
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