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A consortium led by state-owned financial conglomerate Everbright is reportedly "not the only Chinese group to have looked at investing in English football giant Liverpool, with the club attracting interest from Fosun, property-to-film group Dalian Wanda and others," according to Adam Jourdan of REUTERS. Though none have put together a formal bid, according to a source, "interest expressed over recent months in one of England's most storied clubs reflects a significant step-up in China's drive to become a football powerhouse." A senior Liverpool source on Sunday "denied the club's American owners were planning to sell, but indicated they could be open to offers for a minority stake." Liverpool's "list of admirers suggests large, high-profile Chinese groups could still be in the wings with the potential for deals to dramatically alter the dynamics of European football." Already, teams in China are "offering some of the highest salaries in the game." Fosun, which has close ties to "super agent" Jorge Mendes, bought Wolverhampton Wanderers in a deal completed last month. Wanda owns a 20% stake in Atlético Madrid and "is a major sponsor of FIFA." Neither group "replied to requests for comment" (
REUTERS, 8/22).