Hicks Kop out - 'I wonÂ’t sell unless the price is right'
Tom Hicks was embroiled in a £300million-plus game of brinkmanship over Liverpool's future last night after rejecting initial overtures from Dubai International Capital to buy him out.
Despite Hicks' defiant stance, it is understood he is prepared to relinquish control should the Dubai group come up with a price that would suit him and Gillett.
Both men will be missing from the directors' box for tonight's televised home game with Aston Villa. They have been warned to expect the first public show of animosity from fans who want them out. Hicks is unlikely to be swayed by such hostility and will base any decision on whether it makes financial sense.
DIC officials have held preliminary talks with Hicks and Gillett and outlined their eagerness to buy out both Anfeld bosses for about £300m.
Though it would appear to represent an immediate profit of around £40m each, there are other factors which have convinced Hicks, in particular, that he should hold out for more.
The Americans paid around £180m and absorbed an additional £40m of debt when they took over from David Moores, but they argue that Rafa Benitez's transfer dealings have pushed their total outgoings beyond £250m.
With the proposed new stadium likely to add around 20,000 extra paying customers every home game, and new television rights further boosting future income, Hicks is convinced that Liverpool's value could soar over the next few years.
He is in no mood to miss out on the chance of a healthy return on his investment and will only allow another handover of power for a price that would reflect prospective future earnings.
It is further evidence of his ruthless approach to business, but he could face a dilemma, given that DIC chiefs are just as renowned for driving a hard bargain and are reluctant to increase their valuation by much.