The ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum,is no longer interested in bidding for English Premier League club Liverpool, according to UK newspaper, The Guardian.
The paper reports that Amanda Staveley, who has been negotiating on Sheikh Mohammed’s behalf since the turn of the year, has informed Tom Hicks and George Gillett Junior that he is no longer in contention to buy the club because of the financial climate and their refusal to lower an “unrealistic” £600 million valuation.
This was initially regarded in some quarters as a negotiating tactic, but Staveley has told the Americans and their respective legal teams that there is no prospect of a bid for Liverpool being revived. The news brings to the end an unsuccessful two-year pursuit of the club.
The current owners hope to be granted a six-month extension to their £350 million loan from Royal Bank of Scotland and Wachovia, which expires on January 25, but their long-term prospects at Anfield remain doubtful.
