Source: Telegraph
iverpool takeover talks: The key negotiators
Nasser Al-Kharafi: The world's 48th richest man, worth an estimated at £9 billion, the Kuwaiti tycoon has built his fortune in the Gulf construction boom, although his family also have interests in finance, fast food and tourism.[LNB]Nasser held discussions with Liverpool last year and even completed the due diligence process, but ended his interest suddenly with the deal thought to be reaching a conclusion. He has also been linked with talks over a possible purchase of Newcastle, though the club's owner Mike Ashley has not suggested they were ever at an advanced stage.[LNB]An avid viewer of the BBC, Nasser heads one of the Middle East's largest conglomerates, with the exclusive franchising rights for the likes of Pizza Hut and Krispy Kreme doughnuts in the region. His older brother, Jassim, is the speaker of the Kuwaiti parliament, while his sister Faiza was the first ever female rector of Kuwait University. The 65-year-old Nasser has five children, but has delegated his nephew, Rafed, as chief negotiator. It is thought he would be extremely interested in building Liverpool's long-awaited new stadium, but certainly has the financial might to buy out the club's American owners.[LNB]Rafed Al-Kharafi: The son of Nasser's brother Jassim, Rafed is thought to be the driving force behind any potential deal. He is believed to have met with Tom Hicks's party to discuss investment in a new stadium but talks are thought to have soon turned to a complete buy-out of the club.[LNB]Tom Hicks: Unpopular co-owner but an avid supporter of boss Rafa Benitez. It was thought Hicks had no desire to sell but that is called into question by his allies, Philip Nash and Ian Ayre, leading the discussions. Hicks needs capital to build the promised new stadium on Stanley Park but it was his demand to retain a seat on the board that caused the collapse of talks with Kuwait last year.[LNB]George Gillett: Any potential deal with Al-Kharafi has been discussed without the knowledge of Hicks's co-owner. Relations between the pair are frosty but it is understood Gillett would be happy to sell at the right price, with the looming refinancing of a £350 million loan from RBS as well as a personal loan from Mill Financial to Gillett of £40 million to be repaid.[LNB]Rick Parry: Liverpool's chief executive has a strained working relationship with Benitez thanks to a succession of clashes over transfers. Aligned with Gillett and his son Foster in the boardroom split at the club, Parry has been left out of the talks in London with the Kuwaiti delegation. A takeover would cast a shadow over his future.[LNB]Ian Ayre: The club's commercial director and a close ally of Hicks. Should the American remain a force at Anfield even after any potential sale, Ayre, who has been leading negotiations with the Al-Kharafi family, is a likely replacement for the under-fire Parry as chief executive.[LNB][LNB]
