SportBusiness.com

Hicks and Gillett close to financing deal

The American owners of Liverpool FC are reportedly close to securing a £350m financing deal that should end takeover speculation about the club.

Co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett will now support a large proportion of the new debt against their own corporate structures rather than lading the debt on the club itself.

"It was not what they envisaged, but they accepted the point [that the club should not take the entire debt]," a source told The Independent newspaper.

Under the new financing deal only £105m of debt, comprising £60m for the club's new stadium project and £45m for working capital to finance the purchase of players, will belong to Liverpool FC.

The terms of the agreement are also expected to see Hicks and Gillett putting in around £40m, supported by personal guarantees and letters of credit.