Everton deny takeover talk as Liverpool confirm stadium delay

Yesterday, it was reported there were two bidders for Everton FC, one from the Far East and another from the Middle East.

It was suggested that the Qatar Investment Authority, a sovereign wealth fund worth around £30bn, could be a potential buyer, but the report said that was unconfirmed.

Last month, Everton chairman Bill Kenwright told an extraordinary general meeting he had asked Keith Harris, who is regarded as a "Mr Fix It" of the football world, to help find a new owner for the club.

Kenwright told share- holders he was a "pauper" in comparison with the billion- aire owners of Chelsea and Manchester City. Yesterday, reports said Kenwright was keen to sell before the end of the year to allow for an injection of cash for the January transfer window.

Kenwright would not ask to retain any position of significant power at the club, it was claimed.

It was also claimed all the major shareholders had agreed to sell and a formal offer was expected in a matter of weeks.

A spokesman for Everton FC said: "The stories are not true. The chairman has made clear he would listen to potential investors, but the stories in the Sunday papers are not true."

Meanwhile, Liverpool FC said its new stadium on Stanley Park would be built, but only when the credit crunch was over.

Parry also said the club was not considering a ground share with Everton.

"With the financial markets in the turmoil as they are, any major construction project at this time is difficult, it is risky," Parry said.

In August, the club said its plans to relocate from Anfield had been delayed by a year, and said it hoped to be in a new stadium by the start of the 2012/13 season.

The club still hopes to hit that deadline, and Parry's comments have not changed that.

"It is a case of a delay while things settle down, it is still a very, very good long term project. The economics of it still make underlying sense.

"I do not see any change in direction or any change in plans, and ground share is not back on the agenda.

"The point is, at this moment it is not the most sensible time to be borrowing huge amounts of money with the markets in turmoil. That will settle down and availability of money will increase.

"The project makes long term sense, it is the supply of money that is an issue, that will correct itself in time."

The ownership of the club is also unlikely to change at present, said Parry.

He said: "It has gone quiet and everyone is delighted. The focus at Liverpool should only ever be on football.

"All is relatively stable, I am not aware of anything that is happening regarding the sale of the club at this moment. My focus is on day-to-day things and making sure we deliver.