George Gillett is planning a final bid to wrest control from fellow Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks.

The News of the World says after looking the most financially vulnerable of the duo, Gillett is now increasingly confident the imminent £272m sale of his Montreal Canadiens hockey side will allow him to pile the pressure on Hicks.

Gillett, who attended the Champions League clash with Chelsea at Anfield and is due in London for the second leg on Tuesday, believes Hicks has debts of £350-400m in the United States.

Sources close to Gillett insist he's still ready to explore all options - either cutting his ties completely, taking a joint-ownership role with a new partner or remaining as a minority shareholder under a new board.

It's understood the only scenario Gillett won't accept is remaining at Anfield with Hicks. Waiting in the wings are Dubai and Kuwaiti investors, who think the Americans are more vulnerable by the week.