Mukesh Ambani bidding for Liverpool ? Reliance says no

Prasun Sonwalkar

London, Feb 9 (PTI) Indian industrialists Mukesh
Ambani and Subroto Roy are reportedly in the race for a 51 per
cent stake in Liverpool football club bidding to pay off its
237 million pounds debt.
Liverpool is presently owned by American duo George
Gillett and Tom Hicks, who acquired the club in February 2007.
One of the most successful clubs in the history of
English football, Liverpool emerged as a takeover target for
Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries and the seventh-
richest man in the world, as pressure mounted on Hicks and
Gillett to cut a deal to sell the club, The Times reported
on Tuesday.
When contacted in Delhi, a Reliance spokesman denied
the reports. "We are not bidding for Liverpool," he said.
There was no immediate word on the issue from the Sahara Group
owned by Roy.
Both Ambani and Roy have reportedly each tendered
similar bids to pay off Liverpool's 237 million pounds debt in
return for a 51 per cent stake in the club.
Liverpool chief executive Christian Purslow also denied
any knowledge of bids by Ambani and Roy, but The Times
reported that approaches began as early as November and that
some preliminary talks had taken place.
Reported disagreements between Gillett and Hicks, and
the lack of the fans' support, have led to rumours that that
international buyers such as the Dubai International Capital
would bid for the club.

Each deal requires that the present owners make a
commitment to take no dividends or expenses out of the club
for three years to allow the club to resume a secure financial
basis.
In April 2008, business magazine Forbes ranked
Liverpool as the fourth most valuable football team in the
world, after Manchester United, Real Madrid and Arsenal.
Liverpool boasts of having some of the leading
footballers including Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Dirk
Kuyt and Yossi Benayoun. PTI PS
MYR