Investment group rules out backing Hicks refinancing deal

The future ownership of Liverpool appears as uncertain as ever after the investment group Blackstone ruled out financially backing the club's current co-owner Tom Hicks.

Blackstone's GSO Capital Partners had held talks with the Texan over providing the cash to allow him to pay off the £237m (€282.6m) owed to the Royal Bank of Scotland - and that figure is likely to be significantly higher due to penalty fees - before the mid-October deadline and remain in control of the club.

According to a Sunday newspaper, Hicks was close to agreeing a £280m (€333.85m) two-year deal which would see him buy out co-owner George Gillett and remain in charge of the club.

It is understood that Blackstone opened talks with Hicks some weeks ago but have now decided against any deal.

The latest development means it is back to square one for Hicks, who is taking the active role in seeking out refinancing the debt they took out to buy the club for £219m (€261.12m) in 2007.

The search for a new owner, which was meant to have gone into overdrive when Martin Broughton was appointed as an independent chairman in April, also appears to have stalled.

The main problem holding up a sale continues to be the value that Hicks and Gillett have put on the club.

Hicks in particular is wanting to maximise any profit and had put a price tag of £600m (€715.4m) for a sale despite being advised that they are unlikely to get anything above £400m (€476.9m).