The son of Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi reportedly wants an investment deal with Liverpool FC.

Saadi Gaddafi is believed to see the Reds as Libya's "next step" in investment in European football.

The 29-year-old, who both plays for the Libyan national side and is president of its football association, is reputedly a big fan of Liverpool and England striker Michael Owen.

Libya already owns a 7.5% stake in top Italian team Juventus.

Saadi Gaddafi is a big fan of Michael Owen

In an interview published on Friday he said he would meet Liverpool club officials to discuss the proposals.

He told the Financial Times the oil-rich state was considering investing in the club's proposed new �80m stadium in Stanley Park.

Other options include marketing Liverpool's merchandise in the North African state, although Mr Gaddafi ruled out buying a stake in the club itself.

But a Liverpool spokesman said it had held no negotiations about the proposals.

The club has reportedly received an invitation to play a game in Libya in May 2002.

World Cup 2010

The Libyan Arab Foreign Investment Company (Lafico), which Mr Gaddafi advises on football investments, bought into Juventus in 2001.

The Turin club's shirts now carry the logo of Tamoil, the Libyan state oil company, in Champions League matches.

The country also hopes to be the first African country to stage the World Cup in 2010.

It is currently rebuilding its image since sanctions were lifted in 1998 following the handing over of two Libyan suspects accused of planting the Lockerbie bomb.

Abdelbaset al-Megrahi is currently appealing against his conviction to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

A spokesman for Gaddafi said his recent trip to Anfield, where he also watched the Champions League match against Spanish side Valencia was aimed at helping Gaddafi set up a national training academy in Libya.