The Dubai Royal Family have ended their interest in a £500million offer to buy Liverpool, leaving the controversial American owners in charge until at least next July.

The high asking price and financial downturn in Dubai have persuaded the family of Sheikh Al-Maktoum to pull the plug on the deal that Amanda Staveley, who brokered the Abu Dhabi takeover at Manchester City, has been mediating.

The lack of any realistic buyer means the Royal Bank of Scotland and American bank Wachovia are even less likely to force owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett to sell the club on or before January 25, when their £350m refinancing deal runs out, and will therefore agree to the July extension allowed for in the original deal.

The Dubai royals had tried to buy Liverpool before the American pair in December 2006.

They renewed their interest a year later when the Americans quoted them a £1billion price tag.

The Al-Maktoums indicated they would pay around £500m, but the reluctance of the Americans to sell to them, combined with the economic climate, has dashed their enthusiasm.

Source: Daily Mail

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