Liverpool owners dismiss takeover talk

Cape Town - Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group have dismissed claims that Chinese investment group SinoFortone recently made a takeover offer for the Merseyside club.

Talk of an imminent takeover was prompted by a letter that was doing the rounds on social media on Wednesday, in which SinoFortone declared their intention to launch a bid worth around £700million.

An excerpt from the letter read: "We understand that this would be based around a valuation in the region of £700million; and that we are interested in funding the development of a new stadium in the docks area, and the redevelopment of both Anfield and Melwood, all in conjunction with Liverpool City Council; and the development of a series of football training academies across China."

However, the legitimacy of the letter has since been called into question, and Liverpool chiefs have also poured cold water over suggestions that they are seeking to sell the club.

According to the Liverpool Echo, "FSG officials say no such letter was received and are adamant that they haven't had any discussions with SinoFortone about either part-investment or a potential takeover."

Liverpool has been valued at £940m by KPMG, while Forbes claim the club is worth just over £1bn.