Liverpool: Benitez on FA Cup, Gerrard and take-over rumours
- 00:03:01
- ITN
Liverpool: Benitez on FA Cup, Gerrard and take-over rumours
Liverpool are reportedly in discussions with a Middle Eastern family over a possible £500 million takeover. Reports are suggesting the Merseyside club's American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are in talks with the Kuwaiti Al-Kharafi family. Head of the family, Nasser Al-Kharafi - who is the world's 46th richest men - is said to be in charge of a fortune of around £12 billion. Mr Al-Kharafi's nephew, Rafed Al-Kharafi, is believed to be the key negotiator as the two parties try to reach an agreement. There is believed to be a growing divide between Liverpool's two American owners due to the ongoing problems with the delayed construction of the new stadium plus the renewal of manager Rafa Benitez' contract. Benitez said: "We are in a very good position in all the competitions and really focused on football. We know things can happen around (the club). But at the end we have to come to work, to train and to be ready for the next game." Hicks and Gillett have hit a number of setbacks since their own £219 million takeover of the club in February 2007, and with their finance deal with the Royal Bank of Scotland and Wachovia - two companies severely affected by the global economic crisis - set to expire, a sale appears to be a favourable option.
ITN | January 23, 2009
