Liverpool sale talks ‘on hold’

George Gillett’s talks to sell a stake in Liverpool to Saudi Prince Faisal are “on hold”, despite claims last week that a deal was close to completion.

A spokesman for Saudi investment company F6, backed by Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdullah, is quoted in The Daily Telegraph as not only denying that a deal was imminent, but that significant talks ever took place.

Gassim Hamidaddin, F6’s deputy managing director, said: “The purchase of a stake in Liverpool has not been discussed throughout Gillett’s visit, not for even five minutes.

“The discussions are now on hold. The idea of buying a stake in Liverpool was put on the table in September but since then nothing happened.”

Gillett spent five days in the Middle East earlier this month to hold talks with the Prince, who claimed at the time that a deal was close to completion.

“Our negotiations to buy shares in Liverpool are ongoing, meetings are taking place and we might be in the final stages in the coming days,” Prince Faisal said.

Gillett is thought to be keen on selling his entire 50% in the club, but reportedly requires the consent of co-owner Tom Hicks before any such sale takes place.