There are 2 posters on RAWK who seem to be trusted on there and normally reliable apparently....
quite a few posts to get through over the last few days but all sounds good to me (if true obviously)
Posts from Bamba
1/8/10
As will be all over the news tomorrow, a takeover headed by Kenneth Huang (though not solely) and backed by a sovereign fund that will dwarf anything available to any other club in world football is in negotiations with RBS to buy Liverpool F.C. It sounds laughable in light of the three years we've been through, but LFC could soon be the richest club on the planet - if RBS does the right thing.
The brief "highlights" are that Huang himself flew out to speak to Torres and convince him that good times are around the corner. His group have been dealing directly with RBS - so, potentially, there might be the added joy of zero profit for G&H. And he has thus far bodyswerved the Liverpool board, meaning Broughton and Purlsow have less opportunity to derail the bid.
Enter George Gillett. His inoccuous request for a Little Guy's Bike at the training camp was an act of Machievellian brilliance. He wanted the world (i.e RBS) to know that he was back in Europe on LFC business, and he knew his jokey inquiry would be seized upon and written up immediately. He had wind of the Huang takeover and knew he had to stall RBS at all costs. With Liverpool playing Al Hilal, his ruse was to intimate that he was fielding a rival, far richer bid from the Saudis - which RBS would be legally obliged to examine, thus slowing down the Huang deal (which was set to complete today, leaving a full month of the transfer window left for business). We should, for once, praise the heavens for the deluge that halted the Al Hilal game from going ahead. If Gillett had had his way, he'd have been sandwiched between a sheikh and a prince and the images would have gone around the world and straight onto Steven Hester's desk. Even without the circumstancial evidence, Gillett continued to imply he was talking to the Arabs. And he was - just that it was a different and far less impressive Middle eastern country beginning with S....Syria. And the 'bid' was not worth the paper it was written on.
I'll post more later but let's just say for now that RBS are still tempted to believe that Gillett is about to reveal a rival bid that the bank is duty bound to examine. Gillett hopes that that will frustrate Huang into making himself and Hicks an offer they can't refuse - knowing that he wants this takeover to happen quickly, so the club can take advantage of the transfer market. What he also knows - and here's where we come into it, comrades - is that as of 30th July, RBS has had the constituational right to call in the loan and sell it on to whichever bid makes the most sense for the bank and Liverpool F.C. If ever there was a time to re-visit Fat Scouser's magnificent campaigning letter-writing pages, it's now. And it's also time for SOS to add the might of our 7,000+ members to the campaign. Get writing to RBS. FLOOD Hester's desk with letters and emails reminding him of his duty to do this deal for Liverpool. Every last one of us has a role to play here so shoulders together for one last heave...NOW!!
2/8/10
clarity - Kenneth Huang is not the whole story here. There are other big players in the group that is looking to buy the club but, for reasons that will become clear, their identities have to be kept secret for as long as possible. Speaking for myself (and other posters like Don Vito are no doubt privvy to the same inforamation) I've sat on this story as it has developed for weeks and months. It would never be my intention to torment the forum with 'nearly' stories, and I only broke the story last night in the knowledge of these things:
1) Once July 30th passed, RBS had the legal right to call in the loan. It's up to them now. It really is that simple.
2) When I first learnt of this possible takeover, the first thing I asked my sources was this: in blunt terms, would the majority of clued-up Reds consider the prospective new owners to be fit and proper custodians of our unique club? The answer, and this from people you all respect, was (and I paraphrase). Nobody's perfect. Huang's Gang are stratospherically rich. Torres, Gerrard and Joe Cole are taking them seriously (this was before we signed him). The days of local businessman/lifelong fan owners has gone - but this lot are the next best thing. They know football. They revere the club. They will invest, hugely.
3) They kept the bid from G&H for as long as possible, knowing they would go down kicking and screaming the moment they realised they'd been out-manoueuvred. There is the joyous prospect that the cowboys will get little or no profit on their 'investment'. But the main thing is, they will soon be gone. We hope. That's why, with respect to wise and experienced posters who've cautioned against welcoming the new bid with open arms I'd say yes, correct, none of us really knows how Huang's Gang will pan out. But it's still worth pressurisng RBS and moving the evil, cunning and manipulative George Gillett right out of the picture.
4) Expect to see the essence of this update on all the journalists' Twitter pages any moment now
2/8/10
are they not looking to sell Torres, they went to impressive lengths to outline their plans to him. Again, from everything I've been told, the financial backing this team has behind them is mind-boggling.
It's safe to assume that the "they'll sell Torres" and "they'll put debt on the club" stories are the first strikes in G&H's media fightback. Perhaps this is one way of ascertaining who their spinmesiters are on this forum!
Like DVC and myself have been saying, this is a thorough, substantial and patiently constructed takeover plan, with good people involved. It's frustrating knowing so much more about the fabric of the deal and the team behind it, but being unable to share at this point. The last thing any of us wants now is for the baddies to find out where the next attack is coming from. Take a leap of faith, and hope the bank does what it has to.
2/8/10
here, still making calls, getting updated. Patience, everyone. Expect this to get a whole lot dirtier, before we can all toast good riddance to Gillett and Hicks. Neither of those two is going to go quietly, and neither will Broughton when he knows what he's up against. But it'd be a shock, quite frankly, if LFC's board don't issue some kind of statement soon pouring cold water all over our hopes. Remember, LFC's board = Hicks, Gillett, Broughton and Purslow. They've said nothing as yet, but they will. I'm tempted to say Huang on in there, but Keep The Faith will have to do for now. And keep those RBS letters and petition signing going...
3/8/10
This may well now be moving towards its end-game. There's a board meeting this afternoon (nobody knows whether all five will be in the same room, where it will take place or whether it's a conference call). There is lots and lots to tell, but for now my priority is not to say anything that may jeopardise any deal. Two things, though. 1) I've spent the last 24 hours trying to re-establish from those who know him, and his team, what sort of an owner Ken Huang would be. Again, the people I trust most have re-iterated that nobody who does business on an international scale is a perfect fit for Liverpool F.C. We're talking Money Men, here. But they're convinced that Huang is a decent man, understands what's special about LFC, reveres our legend as much as our potential and is as good as it's ever going to get in modern football terms. He's in a hurry, because he wants a big season for Liverpool. He wants to give the manager funds to spend now. 2) Nobody should be in any doubt as to the critical role Martin Broughton has in this process. His reputation is at stake, and he is under the closest possible scrutiny. That was part of the rationale in letting this story go wide yesterday. This is now out in the open where everyone can see what's happening. This club and its worldwide support has a million eyes, and nothing can be done under the table. It is now up to him, as much as anybody, to do the right thing.
For now, I'd best shut up. I want this to happen.
3/8/10
Very briefly - who I am and how I know is next to irrelevant here. I'm certainly not any ego trip. In my several years as a member of the revered community that is RAWK, I've very rarely posted. My first efforts where to try and persuade you lot that Michael Shields was innocent. Another was to let you know that SOS were due to meet with George Gillet the following day...my how you pelted me with rotten vegetables for that one! Bottom line is I'm trying trying to pass on what I know and what I'm given to believe by more than one person who has a unique insight into what is currently go on. Believe if you will, but make full use of your right to swerve, too.
What I said before about the board meeting is kosher. The likes of ourselves can never really KNOW who voted yay or nay, but from reliable briefings from genuinely clued-up people - people who would know - I think the majority on here would be surprised at the level of support the Huang bid is getting, and the lack of self-interest from board members who routinely get hammered on the forums. This is why it can't be understated how important Broughton's role is in the process, and how he critical it is that he is scrutinised over the coming days. We all have to hope he'll prize his reputation and oversee this bid with dignity and fairness.
Where we're at right now is Huang's group is doing everything above board. If I had to guess how it'll play, I'd say they'll come to an agreement with G&H - much as it'd gall us all to see either of them walk away with a profit -simply to get this done, draw a line and move on. That's just an educated guess though. What I do know is that if it has to get dirty, the Huang side has a rocket up their sleeve that will jettison George for good. If he knows good for him, he'll face the music, get this done and do one. Amen.
In the meantime, and on the assumption that everything I'm saying to you lovely people is read more widely than we'd prefer, myself and DVC truly are limited with what we can reveal. Just...be patient. We're all on the same side - hoping and praying that this is the begininning of the end for the cowboys.
3/8/10
Yes, Premier League has been informed but, much as we all want to crack open the Pomagne that's standard - not unlike commissioning a surveyor to give a house you fancy buying the once over. What this does indicate though is that, at whatever pace, this is moving forwards.
On other bids - Rhone has re-emerged with the backing of Tom Hicks. Almost certainly a diversionary/stalling tactic but let's see.
Overall view? As The Undertones said - and in my own humble opinion - it's gonna happen.
4/8/10
See earlier suggestions that this was about to get dirty, and that Gillett, in particular, would fight to the death...
Let's look at what we know so far. Alan Myers receives an email at 2 a.m this morning telling him it's a done deal with Kirdi - an unusual approach to annoncing the biggest deal in world football, but anyway... There are no quotes from any LFC board member confirming an offer has been accepted. There is nothing, in fact, other than the assertion that he's taking over.
My immediate reaction - another educated guess at this point - is that this is Gillett looking to drive up whatever sum Huang has offered for him to go quickly. If that's the case, and if I were Huang, I'd be tempted to walk away and let George do his deal with Kirdi.
Why Alan Myers? Why 2 a.m? Why were 5 or 6 very well-connected sources adamant as recently as 11 p.m last night that Huang was receiving support at board level? At 7 a.m it's very difficult to verify or contradict anything, but these are the questions we'll be asking over the coming hours.
Posts from Don Vito
2/8/10
absolutely serious people, and trying to do things the right way.
The intention was to do this quietly and quickly, not wanting to yet again have the club on the back pages for matters off the field, but due to Gilletts manoeuvring, had no choice.
Assuming, and it is only an assumption, that this deal comes to pass, then our club will be ran the way it deserves to be, with resources far beyond anything else in the League.
That is not to say it will be treated as a trophy or a vanity asset, it will be taken care of by the absolutely the best people possible, people who only have the best interests of Liverpool Football Club at heart, people who understand the club, the city and it's values, people who care deeply about the club and are appalled at how it's been systematically raped over the last few years.
But the above scenario will only become a reality if RBS finally put a stop to the abhorrent corporate abuse of which they are guilty of aiding and abetting.
It has taken a long time to put this project together, countless hours and a meticulous attention to detail have gone in to making the bid a reality
It cannot be overstated how important it is to put pressure on the institution who facilitated the introduction of Mssrs Hicks and Gillett, and we, everyone single one of us, as a collective, have never had such a chance to save the club from seemingly inevitable ruin.
No effort, no matter how minor or seemingly inconsequential is insignificant
2/8/10
it could potentially happen within a few days, such is the appetite of those involved
3/8/10
Without going into to too much detail, I would suggest that the reaction from the club i.e blind panic, tells you everything you need to know about how worried Hicks and Gillett are.
As ever RBS and Broughton need to be strong, and we need to keep the pressure on.
3/8/10
Ignore the comment about Messi
Ignore the rumour about Al-Kharifi
Both [oops]
3/8/10
Right quick update time
There was, as established by Bamba earlier today, a board meeting in regards to the offer for the club from Kenny Huang and his backers, further to that there is commitment on both sides to ongoing dialogue from all sides bar one exception.
Such is George Gillett's desire to walk away with a substantial return, he has took it upon himself to try and discredit Kenny Huang in anyway possible, which includes sending out various agents to China and the US dig dirt on our potential new owner in order to smear him in the press.
By doing this he hopes to put doubt in the mind of supporters and more importantly, those that have the immediate power to make a decision at Anfield, chiefly Martin Broughton, and remove Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
The motivation behind this is to remove the only credible bid on the table for the club, thereby extending his stay of execution until the finance agreements are up in October, and then rely on RBS reluctance to put the club into administration and grant them a further extension.
But enough of that devious little [oops]
In regards to the Huang bid to buy the club, couple of commitments that they have made in their bid, commitments that the board of LFC, BarCap and RBS are aware of
They will remove all the debt on the club
They will invest heavily in the playing squad
They will start work on the stadium as soon as is practicable, as it is absolutely key to their long term plans for the club
They will promote the club in both China and the US, aiming bring in global giants as commercial partners with the intention of building the club to a level of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich
The only caveat to this is that IF George is successful in moving the goalposts, there is doubt as to whether they will be happy to watch the club depreciate further for a further 12 months and may withdraw their interest.
