Chinese billionaire Huang seeks Liverpool takeover

Huang, the chief executive of Chinese sports investment company QSL, is said to have lodged a bid to the Royal Bank of Scotland, which would leave the current owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, without profit.

Hicks and Gillett are said to be looking for £600 million but - following the refinancing deal put in place earlier this year - RBS is reportedly able to take control of the sale if it feels it will offer the best chance of repaying its loan. Huang has apparently made a direct offer to repay the £237 million debt.

According to the Daily Telegraph claims that, as a result of Huang's valuation, Gillett has told the RBS he is in advanced negotiations with Syrian businessman Yahya Kirdi to delay the sale.

Hicks and Gillett put Liverpool up for sale in April but there has so far been little prospect of a deal being completed. A New York-based equity firm earlier made an attempt to purchase a 40% stake, but the bid was dismissed by the duo.

Hicks and Gillett purchased Liverpool for a reported £219 million in 2007 and, speaking in April, Hicks said: "Liverpool will be the most profitable investment I have ever made. I should make four times my money."

Huang, a Wall Street stockbroker and chairman of the Hong Kong-based QSL Sports group, is backed by one of the wealthiest investment funds in the Far East. It is believed he has already approached a number of senior figures at the club to prove his determination to force Hicks and Gillett out, while he will also ask Fernando Torres, due to return to training today, to delay a decision on his future.

Huang’s bid will have the financial clout to provide the Spaniard with the squad reinforcements he has made plain he wishes to see if he is to stay on Merseyside and will clear the club of debt, but that proposal is unattractive to Hicks and Gillett.