Liverpool to be Bought by Saudi Prince?

Filed in archive Premier League '09/'10 on September 27, 2009

The latest rumour surrounding Liverpool FC is that a Saudi Prince is putting up £350 million to buy a 50% share in the club. Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdullah, chair of two Saudi-based companies F6 and Fama Group, told the newspaper Al-Riyadh that a deal was "close to being reached" worth between £200 and £350 million.

Already agreed with Prince Faisal is the establishment of Liverpool FC academies in Saudi Arabia with the prospect of another in North Africa. After being at Anfield to witness the destruction of Hull City in a 6-1 win for the home side, though, the Saudi investor has, according to middle-eastern sources, put in an offer for the struggling club.

Prince Faisal told the newspaper that he was seeking a 50% share in a club he is aware has debts of around £245 million, and will even agree to take these debts on. This should relieve some of the pressure on Liverpool's current owners, US-based Gillett and Hicks, Gillett being the one who approached the investor first.

Any prospective buyer will be taking on the challenge of building the promised new stadium at Stanley Park (architect's image pictured), the deadline of 2012 given by the current owners being put back until an improvement in the economic standings of their parent company.