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SCMP Reporter

Liverpool is the latest English football club to be linked to an Asian takeover after reports in England suggested a Chinese state investment group had contacted the Premier League side over potential investment.
A letter, purported to be the one sent to the club in February of this year, was yesterday circulating on social media and outlines details of the company’s interest while submitting a £700 million (HK$7.70 billion) valuation of the Merseyside outfit.
Meanwhile, US-based current owner Fenway Sports Group denied that it had received any offer for the club.
From Cardiff getting Tanned to Thais delivering the title to Leicester: the very mixed fortunes of five Asian-owned English clubs

Regarding reports of an interest in a Liverpool FC takeover, we have been given this letter. #LFC pic.twitter.com/WIC7wsIHDF
— THE ANFIELD WRAP (@TheAnfieldWrap) June 15, 2016

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The letter claims that SinoFortone has already invested £5.2b in UK-based projects over the last year and also claims an interest in building a new stadium in the docks area of Liverpool town centre as well as investing in the regeneration of Liverpool’s Anfield home and Melwood training facilities.
For their part, FSG has declared that they are happy with the performance of their investment and are looking forward to a successful campaign under German manager Juergen Klopp. They also began construction work on a redesign of the Main Stand at Liverpool’s ground last year.
New Aston Villa owner Tony Xia completes takeover after passing English Football League’s ‘fit and proper’ test
The news comes two days after the formal completion of the takeover of former Premier League club Aston Villa by Chinese businessman Tony Xia.
It is not the first time Liverpool has interested Chinese investors. In 2010, the club was strongly linked with a bid from overseas investment arm China Investment Corporation (CIC). At that time they valued the club at £350m. The club was eventually purchased by FSG for £300m.
Liverpool is thought to be an attractive potential investment area for the Chinese because of its rich Chinese heritage. The port city is home to the oldest Chinese community in Europe.
There has been no comment from SinoFortone on the authenticity of the letter.

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Another Chinese EPL football club owner? Liverpool become the latest club linked to an Asian takeover

From Cardiff getting Tanned to Thais delivering the title to Leicester: the very mixed fortunes of five Asian-owned English clubs

English Premier League 2015-16

Liverpool’s owners are rumoured to have received an offer for the club from a Chinese investment group. Photo: AFP

Leicester City chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha (left) and vice chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha parade the Premier League title with manager Claudio Ranieri in a rare example of a successful Asian ownership model in the EPL. Photo: EPA

New Blackburn Rovers owners Indian brothers Balaji Rao (2nd R) and Venkatesh Rao (R), Directors of Venky's (India), react after a Blackburn Rovers goal during the team's English Premier League football match against Aston Villa at Ewood Park, in Blackburn, north-west England on November 21, 2010. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES. FOR EDITORIAL USE Additional licence required for any commercial/promotional use or use on TV or internet (except identical online version of newspaper) of Premier League/Football League photos. Tel DataCo +44 207 2981656. Do not alter/modify photo

Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung (4th L) poses with the Birmingham City football club Board of Directors (L-R) Vice-President Mike Wiseman, Vice Chairman, Sammy Yu, Chairman, Vico Hui, Vice Chairman, Peter Pannu, Chief Executive Officer, Michael Dunford and legal advisor Warren Ko during a photocall at Birmingham City Football Club in central England, on October 15, 2009, after Yeung's Grandtop Holdings successfully acquired 94 per cent of the Club's shares. AFP PHOTO/Leon Neal____FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY Additional licence required for any commercial/promotional use or use on TV or internet (except identical online version of newspaper) of Premier League/Football League photos. Tel DataCo +44 207 2981656. Do not alter/modify photo.

Cardiff City's owner Vincent Tan arrives in the director's box before their English Premier League soccer match against Southampton at Cardiff City Stadium, Wales, December 26, 2013. REUTERS/Rebecca Naden (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT SOCCER) NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR "LIVE" SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 45 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS

epa05316944 Riding in an open-air bus, Leicester City's Italian manager Claudio Ranieri (F-R), Thai Chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha (2-L), his son Vice Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha (F-2-R) and team players greet locals as they parade with their English Premier League trophy on a street in central Bangkok, Thailand, 19 May 2016. Leicester City, owned by Thai billionaire Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, are in Thailand to celebrate their title after winning the English Premier League for the first time in the club's history. EPA/STR

Group CEO of AirAsia Tony Fernandes (left) and Sir Bobby Charlton (right) at the AirAsia Press Conference. Grand Hyatt Hong Kong. 22nd July 2005.

Meet Tony Xia Jiantong, the 40-year-old Chinese businessman who just bought soccer club Aston Villa for HK$683.5m 

Xia is widely regarded as a savvy asset trader

Xia Jiantong (R), the chairman of Recon Group, who has agreed to buy English soccer club Aston Villa, smiles as he speaks to unidentified person in his office in Beijing, China May 19, 2016. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

Tony Xia Jiantong, chairman of Recon Group, who has agreed to buy English soccer club Aston Villa. Photo: Reuters

New Aston Villa owner Tony Xia completes takeover after passing English Football League’s ‘fit and proper’ test

Xia Jiantong has officially completed the takeover of English Championship club Aston Villa.

The little known Chinese businessman Recon Group CEO Xia Jiantong during an interview about buying the British soccer club Aston Villa, in Beijing, Friday, May 20, 2016. Xia Jiantong, who goes by the English name Tony, told The Associated Press he intends to use cutting-edge management theory and sports science to bring Villa to the pinnacle of the European game, and then bring those lessons back to China. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Sport

Football

The Premier League club has denied it received contact from Chinese investment company SinoFortone as details of a letter outlining their interest circulates on social media
