LIVERPOOL EYE £90m CHINA DEAL
...and club want to send Balotelli there, too
LIVERPOOL are looking to tie up deals in the Far East that could see a sponsor paying £90million for naming rights on the new Main Stand — and Mario Balotelli joining the Chinese Super League.
Billy Hogan, Liverpool’s chief commercial officer, has been in China to meet three different companies who have shown an interest in adding their branding to the Main Stand, which is currently being expanded. Once completed, Anfield’s capacity will be 54,000.
Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool’s owners, have never had any intention of selling complete naming rights to Anfield once the redevelopment is complete but they are eager to find a partner who would commit to a 10-year deal worth between £7m and £9m per season.
Also, Indonesia-based Garuda Airlines are in negotiations with Liverpool about extending their threeyear relationship, during which they have become sponsors of the club’s training kit. That deal is worth an estimated £5.5m per year.
With the finance they have at their disposal China has become one of the most fascinating football markets. FSG are aware of parties who have expressed an interest in taking a minor stake in the club but, as yet, there have been no firm offers.
The same can be said of Balotelli, who has spent this season on loan at AC Milan. It is now almost certain the Italian will never kick another ball for Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp already has four strikers at Anfield — Daniel Sturridge, Christian Benteke, Divock Origi and Danny Ings, who is continuing to make excellent progress in his recovery from a long-term knee injury.
Balotelli, who doesn’t play with the pace and mobility which Klopp favours, joined Liverpool in a £16m deal in August 2014 but it turned out to be one of the worst transfers in which the club have ever been involved. He never fitted into the style of play Brendan Rodgers wanted and he was ostracised from the squad last summer.
He has suffered an injury- disrupted campaign in Italy but he has the profile that would appeal in China and clubs in Turkey are also interested.
If Balotelli moved to China Liverpool could recoup most of the fee they paid for him.
Liverpool have a rare weekend without a match but their performance in Augsburg, in which they drew 0-0 in the first leg of their round of 32 Europa League tie, has left Klopp with plenty to mull over before the biggest week of his tenure.
Klopp realises improvement is necessary if Liverpool are to progress in the Europa League and win the Capital One Cup final and James Milner, his vice-captain, knows what they need to do. ‘ We’ve got two massive games next week, a chance to progress in the Europa League and a chance to win a trophy,’ said Milner. ‘That doesn’t come around too often so it’s important that we’re ready for those two and hopefully we can get two positive results.
‘It was not a terrible result (0-0), we’ll take it home and hopefully get the result. The desire was there, I think you could see that. Hopefully we can improve next week.’