Prince Faisal may bid for a major stake in Liverpool but he admits has concerns about the club’s debt and relationship between its owners.
Co-owner George Gillett will travel to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to hold further talks with the Saudi Royal.
“His Highness’s shareholding could go from anything from nought to 100%,” his representative, Barry Didato, told BBC Sport.
“But he cannot be seen as a solution to the debt or problems in the existing relationship between the owners.”
The relationship between Gillett and his co-owner Tom Hicks, each of whom owns 50% of the club, has been strained for some time. Under the current regulations neither party can sell their stake without the approval of their partner.
Prince Faisal, whose full name is Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdullah al-Saud, has only been holding talks with Gillett so far.
And Didato – director of strategic investments for the Saudi prince’s investment vehicle, F6 – said the pair had forged an understanding about shared goals.
The relationship between Hicks and Gillett was a concern though, Didato admitted.
“His Highness would not want to get involved in the (problems between the pair), he is not a marriage counsellor,” he said.
Didato added that the Saudis has concerns about the high debt levels at the club.
“The debt has to be at a manageable level before Prince Faisal would invest and the current level is high,” Didato said.
“He cannot be looked to as someone who is going to clean up the balance sheet – Gillett has to deal with this.”
Didato said Prince Faisal was undecided about how big a stake he might take at Anfield.
“His Highness does not need to be a majority shareholder and a takeover has not been his focus,” he said.
Last week Hicks and Gillett admitted they were looking to attract new investment to the club but added: “The process is at an early stage, there is no agreement with any party and reports to the contrary are wholly inaccurate.”
F6 has already signed a memorandum of understanding with Liverpool which will lead to the creation of football academies in North Africa and the Middle East and the deal also covered the possible establishment of a Nascar franchise in the area.
“His Highness is an extraordinary man who is passionate about football,” Didato said. “He has a tremendous respect for Liverpool and their fanbase.
“He only wants what is best for them and is one of those rare breeds of investor who is in it for the long haul.”
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