Liverpool's Nike kit deal 'only worth guaranteed £30m per year'

Liverpool's kit deal offer from Nike is reportedly worth only a guaranteed £30million a year, according to The Times.

The national media outlet say they have seen High Court papers giving details of the deal which suggest it is less than the current £45m-a-year agreement with New Balance .

New Balance have started legal proceedings against the Reds having claimed to have met a 'matching clause' in their contract and equalled Nike's offer.

According to the report, there is a commitment from Nike in their offer to pay Liverpool a 20% royalty on net sales of club products while also promoting the Reds through global superstars such as tennis player Serena Williams, musician Drake and basketball icon LeBron James - who is a minor shareholder in Liverpool.

Paris Saint-Germain struck a £71m-a-year kit deal with Nike this summer while both Chelsea and Tottenham have also negotiated £50m-a-year deals - meaning the Reds offer is someway short of that.

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The Times report goes on to say: "Liverpool believe Nike can deliver far greater total revenue for the club than has been generated by the present deal with New Balance, because of the royalties that will be generated by Nike's extensive distribution network."

It appears the battle to manufacture Liverpool's kit from 2020/21 will be settled by a High Court judge next month after New Balance said it can replicate the “material, measurable and matchable terms of the Nike” deal.

A three-day trial has been listed from October 18.