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Prodded by the Takeover Panel, Liverpool have confirmed that they are in talks that could lead to a bid for the club, but an early announcement is not expected. The club told shareholders that it could 'confirm that it is continuing discussions with a number of parties regarding a potential investment of new funds into the club. Although the structure of any such investment is uncertain, it may include an offer for the entire share capital of the club.' The latest person to be linked with the club is the former chief executive of Spanish telecommunications giant, Telefonica, Juan Villalonga. He stated, 'I want to change Liverpool from a domestically-focused club into a global force.' Other prospective investors in the past have included local businessman Steve Morgan, the Kraft family who already have sporting franchieses in the States and embattled Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. A spokesman for the club's advisers PricewaterhouseCoopers said that chairman David Moores would consider selling his 51.5% stake in return for the right level of additional investment. 'First and foremost the board wants new investment into the club. If that means the chairman selling some of his stake he would consider it', the spokesman said. 'I don't think he would sell his entire stake - it would depend on the amount of new money, the share price and ownership structure, and who the parties were.' Local stockbrokers Blankstone Sington reported relatively high interest in acquiring stock in the club with trades at up to £3,000 a share. The issue of 15,000 shares, equivalent to around a 30 per cent stake, has been authorised but has not yet occurred. In the 2005 financial year turnover rose 32 per cent to £121m after Liverpool's success in the Champions League and a £21.9m loss was turned into a £9.5m pre-tax profit.
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