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Not for sale

Liverpool Chinese takeover: Reds chiefs deny approach over £700million buy-out of club

Reports claim Fenway Sports Group have been aware of a proposal from SinoFortone since March but will not sell

LIVERPOOL chiefs have snubbed a £700million takeover offer from a Chinese investment group.

report state-backed SinoFortone have been trying to buy the Reds since March.

 Liverpool owner John W Henry (left) and Chairman Tom Werner (right) pose with the League Cup after the 2-1 extra-time win over Cardiff in 2012
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Liverpool owner John W Henry (left) and Chairman Tom Werner (right) pose with the League Cup after the 2-1 extra-time win over Cardiff in 2012Credit: PA:Press Association
 Liverpool chiefs are not popular with some sections of fans for upping ticket prices but believe they are on path to success with Jurgen Klopp at the helm
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Liverpool chiefs are not popular with some sections of fans for upping ticket prices but believe they are on path to success with Jurgen Klopp at the helmCredit: Getty Images

But Kop owners Fenway Sports Group are not interested in selling and apparently ignored the offer.

SinoFortone has invested £5.2billion in the UK over the last year in projects such as a theme park, Crossrail 2 and power stations.

They have looked into building a new stadium despite redevelopment work on Anfield, improving the Melwood training ground and setting up several academies in China.

 John W Henry and wife Linda watch Liverpool play Sunderland at Anfield
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John W Henry and wife Linda watch Liverpool play Sunderland at AnfieldCredit: Getty Images
 Klopp has brought a sense of excitement to the club with his high-octane football
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Klopp has brought a sense of excitement to the club with his high-octane footballCredit: Getty Images

But  John W Henry and his fellow executives believe they are on course to build something special on Merseyside.

Jurgen Klopp is about to enter his first full season as Liverpool boss and there is a growing sense of excitement at the club.

The German boss reached the Europa League final in May and despite defeat against Sevilla, Kop chiefs are optimistic they can land silverware soon.

SinoFortone may be interested in a partial investment instead of  a full takeover but no talks have been held.

Chinese President Xi Jinping - a huge football fan - visited Britain last year and during the trip, SinoFortone put £2bn into two eco-parks in Wales.

Another project is the London Paramount Entertainment Resort, which is due to open in Kent in 2021.

Liverpool has the oldest Chinese community in Europe which, combined with the club's history, makes in an attractive offer.

Chinese businessman Dr Tony Xia - who also has links to the Chinese government - recently completed a £76m takeover of Championship outfit Aston Villa.

 Luis Suarez almost inspired the Reds to the  title before joining Barcelona
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Luis Suarez almost inspired the Reds to the  title before joining BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images
 Aston Villa chairman Dr Tony Xia with Roberto Di Matteo after landing Italian boss
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Aston Villa chairman Dr Tony Xia with Roberto Di Matteo after landing Italian bossCredit: PA:Press Association

The Villans are the first English club under Chinese ownership and there may be more to follow.

As well as spending heavily in attracting top talent to the Chinese League, several European sides have been targeted.

Suning Holdings Group took over Italian giants Inter Milan earlier this month.

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