Pool Owners Look For Buyer

Tom Hicks and George Gillet are reportedly looking for a buyer for Liverpool.

The Times claims that the American pair, who bought the club in 2007, have instructed investment bank Merrill Lynch to search for interested parties.

Hicks and Gillet need to restructure their £350million loan with the Royal Bank of Scotland which expires on January 25, but with the bank currently being under public ownership, that is unlikely.

Sheikh Mohammed has long been thought to be a potential buyer for the club, but the Americans and the ruler of Dubai are currently £50million apart in their valuations of the club. Hicks and Gillet reportedly want upwards of £550million, while Sheikh Mohammed is only prepared to pay £500million.

Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots and the man who Hicks and Gillet beat to buy the club in the first place, was rumoured to be reviving his bid, but he is not now thought to be a viable candidate.

The Times reports that Merill Lynch inspected Liverpool's books last week in order to find a buyer, but have as yet been unsuccessful.