June 16 – It’s all about buying at Premier League Liverpool at the moment. The club has just launched its new all-black away kit for fans to buy, while news has emerged that a Chinese group has reportedly valued the club at £700 million and wants to progress the deal, though confirmation of that proposal is hard to find.
Chinese government-backed group SinoFortone apparently made an initial approach to Liverpool’s US owner Fenway Sports Group in March to buy the club. Fenway have said the club is not for sale and that they have not received a formal offer or had discussion with SinoFortone.
But the Chinese appear to have gone as far as developing a post-acqusition strategy for club including plans to build a new stadium in the dockland area of Liverpool; a redevelopment of the club’s Melwood training ground; and the establishment of a series of football academies across China.
SinoFortone certainly has the cash to proceed if Fenway was a willing seller. The company has £5.2 billion to invest in new projects in the UK and has already committed £2 billion to the Orthios Eco Parks to develop waste power stations in Wales, as well as the development of an amusement park in Kent.
Fenway’s position on ownership is that it would consider selling a minority share in the club if the offer was right, but that they have no intention of giving up majority ownership.
Shirt off their back
Meanwhile the club carried on its more usual business and has launched its 2016/17 away kit which is a tribute to the club’s 1977 European Cup win in Rome on 25 May 1977.
A club press release describing the kit said: “Black was chosen as the base colour to create an imposing canvas for the flame red warning vents down either side of the torso. Silver trim has been detailed on the front, including the iconic Liver bird crest; to commemorate the club’s first of five European victories.
General manager of New Balance Football, Richard Wright, said: “Liverpool FC is historically England’s most successful team in Europe and this kit is a fitting tribute to that remarkable achievement. With the seam-free body mapping technology and NB Dry each player will be competing in a truly advanced and stylish kit.”
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