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the CIC is selling stock in morgan stanley (on which they made a huge profit without interfering) to buy LFC hopefully with the same approach, its not a charity event...

CIC has raised funds for the purchase

The Chinese government fund represented by Kenny Huang has spent the past fortnight raising precisely the amount of cash required to finance a bid for Liverpool. Sources have confirmed to Digger that the China Investment Corporation, the sovereign wealth fund to the world's most populous nation, is the organisation being fronted by Huang, who yesterday admitted interest in bidding for Liverpool.

In a series of trades since 19 July, CIC has sold $558m of shares in Morgan Stanley, equating to £351.4m. That sum is equivalent to Liverpool's debt to the nearest decimal place, and is exactly the number insiders say has been quoted to interested parties as the sale price.

China Daily, the English-language arm of the Chinese state media, reported yesterday: "China Investment Corp, the Chinese sovereign wealth fund that bought a 9.9% stake in Morgan Stanley in 2007, sold $90.5m of shares in the investment bank on 30 July, bringing the total amount divested in the last two weeks to about $558m."

Although sovereign wealth funds have enormous values of assets under management, cash is generally tied up in equity and bond markets. This requires liquidation by share sales before major new investments can be made. It is therefore hugely significant that the £351.4m number is also equivalent to Liverpool's debt, suggesting that CIC is shifting its assets ahead of an offer for the five-times European Cup winners.

It also indicates that despite the ambitions of the Anfield club's chairman, Martin Broughton, to generate a return for Tom Hicks and George Gillett, China is refusing to reward them for their three-and-a half-year ownership of the club. The Americans' capacity to dictate terms is further reduced by the fact that there are few other credible bidders preparing to compete with Huang and CIC.

Even those involved in the sale process have dismissed the announcement yesterday from Yahya Kirdi, the former Syrian footballer with business links in Canada, of his intention to compete with Huang for Liverpool. Kirdi has previously talked of his interest but is said not to have meaningfully pursued it, but his interest could raise the price that current owners are looking for. The Rhone Group has also re-emerged as a possible interested party. But although it is regarded as being financially capable of mounting a bid, the private equity firm has come to the table before, having looked at a minority-stake investment in March. But it did not go through with the deal.

Huang confirmed for the first time yesterday he had contacted Liverpool's brokers in the sale – who together are Broughton and Barclays's investment-banking division, Barcap – to "register interest". He did state he "has made no formal bid", however CIC's cash-raising exercise demonstrates it is in a position to make an approach at any time.

In that event the red half of Merseyside might be concerned about the impact of direct investment from the Chinese government in their club. But in anticipation of negative reaction to its world-wide investment activities, CIC's website states: "CIC strives to contribute to the prosperity and development of local economies.

It adds: "CIC usually does not seek an active role in the companies in which it invests nor attempts to influence those companies' operations. CIC seeks long-term, stable, sustainable, and risk-adjusted return."

Although the message of prudence, at a time when CIC's dumping of £351.4m of Morgan Stanley shares has conspicuously not generated any money for transfer activity, might dishearten fans, it should not be interpreted as a lack of team investment. CIC would be purchasing a debt-free club and would be capable of taking out smaller, more affordable loans to finance team strengthening this summer.

And after the years of chaos associated with the unsustainable debt run up under Hicks and Gillett, that would no doubt be a welcome relief to Liverpool fans, as will the fact CIC is happy with Roy Hodgson being the manager.

I'm in for my usual pasting...

I'll be on again this year- cant do it from work

Toores staying:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/aug/03/fernando-torres-stay-liverpool-next-season

Kieran's public persona is carefully cultivated- he's certainly a thoughtful guy , but the not smiling thing, there are a lot of people wondering how he gets away with still having that rep...

Great round by Harrington yesterday- still Stuart Appleby's 59 to win by a stroke in the Greenbrier wasnt half bad either...

Black Biddy- Ranjam
Mary- The 4 of us
Walk of Life- Dire Straits
Under Pressure- Bowie and Queen (or ice ice baby vanilla ice)
We will rock you- Queen

from the guardian:

Recent speculation suggested Torres was keen to play Champions League football this season and was considering his options. Hodgson said that was not the message the club had received from the Spain striker.

"As far as I know he is looking forward to coming back here; he is back on Monday," he said. "He is enjoying a holiday – a well-deserved break as he has not had one for three years. He is spending a lot of time with his family, keeping a low profile and as far as I know he is not really speaking to anyone.

"But he has told us that he is looking forward to Monday, looking forward to getting back to work and looking forward to playing for Liverpool next season. That is what I know so other reports, I would suggest, are erroneous."

there have been worse ideas...

Did anyone head down to the Lough Erne challenge- big Darren and wee Rory vs Harrington and Lowry?

Take them out while in the states and use them, when returning to Ireland tell the custums agent that you brought the clubs with you to the U.S. If custums inspects the clubs they will see that they are already used. This was what a few frinds of mine did years ago and they had no problem.

not foolproof- the father in law bought a set over here and brought them back through dublin airport. got pulled by the customs guy brought into the room etc, but he had the receipt which was under the allowable amount. Customs guy couldnt believe he had a full set of decent clubs and a bag for less than $180  ( http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=4074812&view=all) when he was out of the room and leaving the other customs guy was busting a gut laughing at his colleague saying he spotted you early off the plane- thought he had you, and was getting a big catch...

the outlets are a bit of a sham- the gear that they sell is not the same stuff that they have in their retail store- they actually are made by the same folk but with lower quality materials and less attention to detail...

By now we are all aware that the western media doesn't report the real truth

Fixed that for you...

apparently Dalglish is unhappy with the imminent Hodgson appointment and feels the whole process is being poorly handled. Has threatened to walk from the club if Roy gets the job...