Huang Grows Frustrated

Five days have now passed since Liverpool FC issued a holding statement on August 13th to the effect that “The Board will continue to act in the best interests of Liverpool Football Club and its supporters, doing all that it can to ensure that the Club is ultimately sold to a buyer who has the resources and real commitment to give it a long-term, stable and secure funding position for its plans.” – However it seems that for Chinese born businessman Kenny Huang and his consortium, it is just taking too long.

The Guardian and The Times have both reported that Huang is growing increasingly frustrated that his attempts to take Liverpool FC over from existing custodians Tom Hicks and George Gillett, is just not happening as quick as he would like. With one eye on the soon to be closing transfer window at the end of August, Huang is reported to be concerned that he will not have the opportunity to present manager Roy Hodgson with a last minute war chest to significantly bolster the Anfield squad, at the present rate of development.

Roy Hodgson has previously indicated that regardless of any funds available to him, any inbound players will be purely based upon the results of the research undertaken by his team.  A process to ensure as much as possible, that compatibility with the existing squad and the way that it is deployed to play is the priority at the top of their agenda as opposed to any other valuation any said player may have in the market place.

Liverpool FC had previously suggested that Huang or any other bidder interested in the purchase of the club, had not offered proof of their funding but The Times reports that it believes the Chinese bid has in fact supplied all the necessary documentation required by the memorandum of sale, a legal framework for potential buyers. A RBS source has also indicated a similar status report concerning the legal documentation required.

The race for Liverpool FC ownership has long been seen as a two horse race between Huang and Yahya Kirdi, a close friend of the Gillett family via his son Foster, a fact that was immediately met with some hostility and reservation from the Liverpool fan base through the connection alone. The last real comments associated to the Kirdi bid, which has seen a number of PR gaffs along the way, were credited as being that although they wished to confirm their interest was very much genuine, they believed that a further 2 months would be required to complete a deal. This would leave a takeover very much closer to the present RBS October deadline and also be well outside the current transfer window.

Whether Huang’s take it or leave it approach to Liverpool Chairman Martin Broughton is sincere or just a little shot across the bows to move things on, remain to be seen, as does whether Roy Hodgson and Christian Purslow are quietly planning for a last minute spending spree that may or may not happen.