Liverpool’s players celebrate after scoring a goal against Arsenal during their English Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium in London, on August 14, 2016
LIVERPOOL, United Kingdom, Aug 20- Liverpool chairman Tom Werner has dismissed rumours of an imminent takeover bid, insisting the Premier League outfit will not be sold.
The Merseyside outfit is reportedly being eyed by state-backed Chinese group SinoFortone, who were been linked with a £700m takeover bid in the off-season.
However, Werner says the club’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, are fully committed to restoring the club to their former glory.
This after handing manager Jurgen Klopp a new six-year contract ahead of the 2016/17 PremierLeague campaign.
“We’ve said it before and I’d like to say it again: this club is not for sale,” Werner told the Liverpool Echo.
“I’d say that from time to time somebody says they have made an offer to us but they are really saying that just for publicity.
“People throw offers to us which we don’t think are real. We haven’t had a discussion or a negotiation with anyone because this club is not for sale.
“If someone wants to write us a letter saying they want to buy the club then it will get put in the garbage.
“I don’t think that we could have made a long-term arrangement with Jurgen without an understanding on both sides about our future together.”
While a takeover bid would not be welcomed by the club’s owners, Werner says they would consider selling a minority stake.
He added: “At the same time we’ve been clear that we actively pursue commercial opportunities which in turn helps us invest in the squad and win football matches.
“These commercial discussions can be complex and we’ve said in the past, under the right conditions and absolutely with the right partner, we could look at some small investment stake in the club.
“But only in the framework of doing what would be in the club’s long-term best interests. I want to reiterate that the club is not for sale.”
