Soccer:Renowned deal-broker Keith Harris claims an overseas buyer is considering making an offer of between €488 million and €610 million for Liverpool. The former Football League chairman, who has had a hand in the sales of Aston Villa, West Ham and Manchester City in the past, said due diligence has already been done.
Harris also said the party he was representing was not one mentioned publicly before.
"The overseas buyer we represent has completed due diligence. A huge amount of work has been done," he said. "It is none of the groups mentioned in the press. The ball is now in our client's court to make an offer.
"I do not think the deal will be done before the transfer window closes this month but the next pressure point is October when some of the RBS loan of £237 million has to be repaid.
"It may happen then. But in the present climate these things are impossible to predict."
Last week Hong Kong-based businessman Kenny Huang - whose interest was believed to be allied to the Chinese government - pulled out of the bidding process, while Syrian-Canadian Yahya Kirdi's much-publicised interest has been treated with scepticism.
Harris said history has taught him that those who went public before an agreement had been reached rarely succeeded.
"The Chinese government involvement was always a bit far-fetched," he told the London Evening Standard. "In any takeover situation, when people resort to announcing it to the media, you have to question the seriousness of the offer.
"If the name of the prospective buyer comes out before the deal is done then probably it is never going to be done.
"Look at when Chelsea was sold in 2003. My firm was advising the club and we only knew of Roman Abramovich on the Thursday before the deal was completed the following Tuesday."
Harris worked on a bid for Liverpool two years ago for Kuwaiti Nasser Al Khorafi, whom it is claimed agreed a deal for €366 million up front and another €122 million based on financial performance only to pull out at the last minute.
"He just lost his appetite. No explanation was forthcoming," added Harris.
Meanwhile, Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano’s future lies in the hands of Barcelona after manager Roy Hodgson admitted the situation was “uncomfortable” for the Merseysiders.
The Argentina captain was left out of the squad for last night’s 3-0 Barclays Premier League defeat to Manchester City after the Reds rejected a bid, believed to be about €15 million, from the Catalans.
Hodgson said the 26-year-old’s head “was not right”, with some reports claiming the Primera Division champions have already agreed personal terms on a four-year, €100,000-a-week contract.
Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has admitted he is in the market for a defensive midfielder but refused to comment on Mascherano.
But Hodgson insists the club is unwilling to budge on their valuation of a player rescued from West Ham’s reserves for €22 million three-and-a-half years ago.
“His head is being turned by Barcelona, who are making overtures to him and telling him they want him,” said the Liverpool manager. “Unfortunately the fee they are offering is way, way below our valuation.
“But that does not make the player any happier because he is not interested in the justice of the fee, he just wants to move and it makes it uncomfortable for us.”
Mascherano attended the club’s Melwood training ground today but Hodgson hinted last night he would not pick the player again until the situation was resolved or the transfer window closed.
However, it seems inconceivable the Argentinian will still be on Merseyside by the beginning of September, having been angling for a move for a year. Mascherano has complained his family have not settled in England and wants a move for that reason, and his case has been strengthened by an agreement struck last season when he was told by the club if they received an acceptable offer he could go.
Barcelona coach Guardiola would not discuss the player when asked about a potential transfer.
“I will speak about him when he’s here — if he comes,” he said. “If a defensive midfielder arrives the needs of the team will be resolved. If one arrives I will be satisfied.”
When asked whether a deal was close Guardiola added: “You’ll have to ask (sporting director Andoni) Zubizarreta.”