23 Jan 2008Liverpool owners close to refinancing deal

Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are said to be close to securing a refinancing deal that will secure the immediate future of the club.

The Americans are seeking a £350 million deal and Hicks has expressed his confidence that everything will go smoothly.

It follows reports earlier in the week that the agreement was under threat and Dubai International Capital was waiting to launch a takeover bid.

However, it now appears that the deal is back on track, with Gillett and Hicks finding a more manageable way to repay the money they borrowed in order to buy Liverpool in March last year.

In addition, when the refinancing package is announced, new stadium plans will also be unveiled.

Plans for the Stanley Park stadium had to be re-scaled and Hicks is expected to put forward proposals for a new 70,000-seater ground.

The American owners have come in for abuse from Liverpool fans in recent weeks for their handling of the club and an apparently disintegrating relationship with manager Rafael Benitez.

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