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Club takeover will take time, McMahon says

The sale of Liverpool is unlikely to be sorted out before the transfer window closes at the end of the month, former England international and Anfield favourite Steve McMahon says.

McMahon (pictured), who is in town to promote ESPN's coverage of Sunday's Community Shield match between Chelsea and Manchester United, said there would be prolonged negotiations and discussions involving the sale of his former club.

'There is a process ... and it won't be resolved easily,' the ESPN pundit said. 'There are five men who can make the decision [to sell the club], the two owners and three other directors. If the three directors vote against the two owners, then it won't happen. That's the process.

'It won't be done next week. It will take a few months to sort out, probably [not] before January when the transfer window opens again.'

McMahon, who won all his 17 England caps during his six-year stint (1985-1991) at the Merseyside club, said money would not be the only deciding factor.

'I have spoken to people at Liverpool and they are not necessarily going to take the highest bid,' he said. 'It's not all about the initial cash. I was told this categorically.

'It is about whether the new owners can move the club forward, pay the debt and build a new stadium, get the money for the players and I would prefer somebody who has got Liverpool's interests at heart. It does not matter whether it is Chinese or people from the Middle East.'

McMahon, who has lived in Asia for five years, said he knew China was a massive market for many of the world's top teams.

'The move is about the future of Liverpool and it has to be for the long-term benefit for the club and that's paramount. If the Chinese bid is the best, then so be it,' he said.

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