by Guest Sat Dec 04, 2010 9:54 am
ASSEM and Ehab Allam have re-negotiated their takeover deal to become 100 per cent owners of Hull City, it has been confirmed to the Mail.
It will see present owner and chairman Russell Bartlett reluctantly relinquish his full shareholding when the deal finally goes through.
It follows three weeks of tense negotiations between the parties during a 'due diligence' period.
An initial arrangement had been struck which would have allowed Bartlett to remain as a non-executive director.
Both parties claimed they could work together going forward, presenting a united front on the pitch ahead of City's last home game.
But since then the Allams have been required to put their money forward ahead of taking control simply to meet monthly bills.
And an official source has confirmed to the Mail that Bartlett will now no longer retain a stake in the club.
It has emerged the Allams have paid £833,000 into a holding account with their solicitors to guarantee a HM Revenue and Customs bill will be met on the deal's completion.
That money, which is the club's monthly PAYE bill, will now be released immediately when the Allams become owners.
Despite the financial difficulties causing further delays, the Mail understands the deal is still expected to be completed within days.
Due to the changes in planned ownership structure, the Allams will now take on the club's full £21.1m debt and the guarantees against them.