Barclays Premier League club Liverpool could be bought by a Chinese business tycoon within days, according to reports.

Kenny Huang, head of Hong-Kong based investment company QSL Sports Ltd, is reported to be in talks with the Royal Bank of Scotland with the aim of taking full control of the club which has been up for sale since April.

“A deal has to be done before the transfer window closes (on 31 August),” a source close to Huang said.

“Huang has made a firm proposal. The club´s board has to sanction the sale and it could be sewn up in days.”

Huang is offering to clear Liverpool´s debt to RBS and hand new manager Roy Hodgson funds to do business in the transfer window. The tycoon also plans to build the club a new stadium.

“Kenny is the only serious bidder interested in the club and he´s optimistic,” the source told BBC Sport.

Huang reportedly turned down the chance to buy Liverpool in 2008 because he felt a valuation of £650 million ($1.13 billion) was too high, and it is believed he now values the club at around £350 million ($606 million).

The current owners, Americans Tom Hicks and George Gillett, bought the club in March 2007 in a deal worth £219 million ($380 million).

The pair refinanced with a £350 million package from two banks the following year but it left the 18-time English champions with a debt in the region of £105 million ($182m).

The pair have had a difficult tenure at Anfield, with supporters regularly protesting at the level of debt taken on by the club after the buy-out, and new stadium plans.

Gillett informed RBS last week that he was in advanced negotiations with Syrian businessman Yahya Kirdi. However, this has been viewed as a stalling tactic.

If RBS decide to turn down the proposal - and no new viable bidders are forthcoming - the bank has the option of calling in their loan in October, making it important for the Reds to resolve the ownership issue as soon as possible.

Huang, who is backed by one of the wealthiest investment funds in the Far East, was first linked with a buyout at Liverpool two years ago.

He is well known in China for his interests in baseball and basketball, and last year bought a 15 percent stake in NBA side Cleveland Cavaliers.
 
Agence France-Presse