THE Arab company who once tried to buy Liverpool FC are remaining tight-lipped over reports linking them with a potential takeover of Saints.

Billionaire Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum and his Dubai Holdings company failed to gain control of the Anfield giants.

Maktoum is one of the richest men in the world with a personal fortune estimated at around £14 billion.

Dubain Holdings is a company that belongs to the Government of Dubai.

It is claimed that Saints have been holding talks with Dubai International Capital (DIC), the overseas investment arm of Dubai Holdings.

But a spokesman for DIC today told the Echo: "We have a policy of not commenting on market or press rumours".

Last year DIC bought the Tussaud's Group for £800m and hotel group Travel Lodge for £675m.

They also paid out £700m to buy Doncasters, a leading manufacturer of precision engineered components and systems.

DIC are believed to be keen to further extend their portfolio of leisure assets, and have previously expressed an interest in English football.

Last December the Sheikh began negotiations for a reported £479m takeover of Liverpool, a deal which was rumoured to include a new 60,000 seater stadium.

But they withdrew their offer in January when the Reds decided to consider a second bid from Americans George Gillett Jr and Tom Hicks, who went onto complete their takeover.

It was claimed DIC were looking to fund the deal by taking loans out against Liverpool, which in the short and long term would have piled huge debts into the club.

It was also claimed that DIC were also looking to sell Liverpool within seven years at a profit.

They were the reasons why then Liverpool chairman David Moores decided against the Maktoum/DIC bid.

Saints' share price yesterday closed at 58.75p - giving the club a current Stock Market value of £16.5m.

That is how much any potential buyer would have to pay out to buy all the shares at their current value.

In addition, the club's overall debt remains at over the £20m mark - mainly due to their mortgage on St Mary's.

Saints this morning declined to comment on the speculation when contacted by the Echo.

But the Echo has been told that the report, which claims that talks are 'advanced', is wide of the mark.