YANKFIELD
By Rob Shepherd
LIVERPOOL are close to agreeing a £400million takeover deal with the former owner of the Harlem Globetrotters.
I can reveal that American billionaire George Gillett is set to pip Sheik Mohammed's Dubai International Capital in the chase to own the Kop.
Gillett will become the SIXTH foreign investor to buy into the Premiership, following Eggert Magnusson at West Ham, Randy Lerner at Aston Villa and Malcolm Glazer at Manchester United.
A top City source confirmed: "It looks like a deal for Liverpool will be done soon and Gillett is now the hot favourite."
Liverpool chairman David Moores and chief executive Rick Parry met Gillett recently in Montreal to thrash out terms.
Dolphins
Gillett has a history of investment in top American sport.
He bought the Montreal Canadians ice hockey club in 2001 after bids to buy the Colorado Avalanche and Florida Panthers clubs fell through.
He used to be part-owner and business manager of the NFL's Miami Dolphins as well as the Globetrotters basketball team.
His businesses include six ski resorts and several golf courses.
The 68-year-old also owns a media company and is one of the largest producers of chicken products in the States.
He has shares in Silverthorne Motors and in car dealerships selling Chryslers and Jeeps across America.
Bidders
I understand he has offered £250million for Liverpool, which includes covering £100m of club debt, and has pledged to spend a further £200m to fund a new 60,000-seat stadium at Stanley Park.
Gillett's rival bidders, Dubai Investment Capital — the private equity arm of the Arab state — and Belfast-born property millionaire John Miskelly, are not completely out of the picture.
But Liverpool are anxious to make a decision soon before embarking on their ground redevelopment.
Gillett's offer gives them the financial foundation they are looking for.
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/story_page...rt/sport1.shtml 
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LIVERPOOL FOOTBALL CLUB, ყველაზე ტიტულოვანი ინგლისური გუნდის ფანკლუბი,VOL.5
