DIC deny reports of Liverpool, Newcastle and West Ham takeover bids

DIC, the Middle East investment arm of the Dubai government, have released a statement distancing themselves from reports that they're trying to buy Liverpool, Newcastle and/or West Ham.

It said: "Following inaccurate speculation regarding DIC and Liverpool FC, DIC can confirm that it is not involved in any negotiations to buy LFC and can confirm that it is not planning a fresh bid for LFC or any other football club.

"Nor is DIC or any other Dubai-based party aware of any consortium or vehicle involved in a bid.

"DIC has not mandated PCP to act for DIC or to act for them in any matter whatsoever. DIC would like to wish LFC and its fans a successful future."

It has been reported that Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum had stopped using DIC as the financial vehicle to buy Liverpool, and was instead looking to handle the situation as a personal venture.

However, the wording of the statement is such that this option would also appear to have been ruled out for now.

There is speculation that Sheikh Maktoum would still like to buy Liverpool at some point in the future, but that negotiations have not progressed during the summer.

In that time Liverpool's owners have failed to raise the funds to build a new stadium, and have put back that venture for a year.

Their next problem will come at the end of the year when they have to re-finance their current loans at Liverpool.

It is believed that they have as yet had no indication that the Royal Bank of Scotland, with whom the bulk of their loan finance is involved, will grant a six-month extension.

At that point, Sheikh Maktoum may again become active in trying to buy the club.

Find out what our resident Premier League fan bloggers think - and let them know your views

Think you can outwit our Football Pools experts John Barnes, Tony Cascarino and Graham Poll? Then have a crack at the Football Pools

Follow every Premier League game live with our brilliant Match Tracker