Liverpool to be sold to Boston Red Sox

The deal, which values the club at £300m, is still subject to approval by the Premiership League and a possible legal dispute with US owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Hicks and Gillett have rejected the deal and another Asian offer, arguing they “dramatically undervalue” the debt-laden club.

In an attempt to block the sale and retain control of the club, Hicks and Gillett tried to sack the club’s managing director Christian Purslow and commercial director Ian Ayre.

But Purslow, Ayre and chairman Martin Broughton are now exploring legal action to replace Gillet and Hicks and force the sale of the club.

“I am delighted that we have been able to successfully conclude the sale process, which has been thorough and extensive,” Broughton said in a statement on the club’s website.

“The board decided to accept NESV’s proposal on the basis that it best met the criteria we set out originally for a suitable new owner. NESV’s philosophy is all about winning and they have fully demonstrated that at Red Sox.

“We’ve met them in Boston, London and Liverpool over several weeks and I am immensely impressed with what they have achieved and with their vision for Liverpool Football Club.

“By removing the burden of acquisition debt, this offer allows us to focus on investment in the team. I am only disappointed that the owners have tried everything to prevent the deal from happening and that we need to go through legal proceedings in order to complete the sale.”

“We don’t just want more of the same, we want investments in the club to help the club catch up.” Jay McKenna, Spirit of Shankly, Liverpool Supporters’ Union

The Premier League must also ratify the takeover by New England Sports Ventures for it to go ahead.

Liverpool has been hit by mounting debt and faces an October 15 deadline to pay off £285mn to the Royal Bank of Scotland.

If Liverpool do not make their repayments by that deadline, RBS would be able to take control of the club and sell it to recoup the debts.

The boardroom 'war' at Liverpool FC

The legal action surrounding the boardroom dispute at Liverpool could see the sale become "long and protracted," writes Northern England correspondent Nick Martin


The price tag is £300mn, which sounds a lot of money, but for the present US owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks it isn't enough.

It means they won't make a profit out of this venture which they have been embroiled in for three years. They're now embarking on a legal challenge to this deal which may mean this whole purchase is long and protracted.

In the last few weeks there's been a remarkable shuffle around in the boardroom and a war has been ensuing according to some commentators and those inside the club where Tom Hicks and George Gilett are trying to manoevre different people around to try and bolster their case. They do not want this sale to ahead, and it's not part of the grand plan they had when they took over this club three years ago.

The potential buyers, New England Sports Ventures- the owners of the Red Sox, is headed up by multi-millionaire John W Henry, who says he wants to re-invest in this club. But of course, the fans outside Anfield have heard this many times before. Three years ago I was standing here talking to the fans when Tom Hicks and George Gillett took over the club. There was a massive amount of enthusiasm that new money would be put into the club. These were two wealthy men. But of course it hasn't really materialised.

Liverpool football club is now languishing in the bottom of the league, an area which they're not really used to being in.

So fans here are treating this with skepticism, but there's also a lot of hope.

The Liverpool fans’ union, Spirit of Shankly, cautiously welcomed the deal to sell the club to Boston Red Sox owner John Henry, but told Channel 4 News the club’s frustrations are far from over.

“We’re pleased to see the back of Hicks and Gillet but we’re urging caution.

“We need to see what the new owners are like and obviously before that happens, the focus is on the legal challenge which will be pursued in the next week,” Spiriti of Shankly spokesman James McKenna said.

But he says fans are looking for future investment in the club, rather than just clearing the club’s debts.

“We don’t just want more of the same, we want investments in the club to help the club catch up with the likes of teams like Chelsea.

“The focus should be on the pitch but sadly the after-game antics have taken away from that. And hopefully a change in ownership will bring that to an end.

“I think supporters will have a lot of questions. But the important thing is for John Henry or whoever is involved with the club must engage with fans and supporters and discuss issues openly with us.”

He also called for more information about the other reported Asian offer to buy the club.

“Some people will have questions about the other offer. We know very little about it, so hopefully that information will come out sooner than later.”

Hicks and Gillett bought the Merseyside club in 2007 for £218m.

They have turned down several bids to buy the club this year.