Everton takeover by Peter Kenyon-led consortium is ‘dead’
The attempted takeover of Everton by a consortium led by former Chelsea and Manchester United chief Peter Kenyon is off, according to reports.
The group was in exclusive talks with Toffees owner Farhad Moshiri over a deal that could have reached £1billion to buy the club and finance the Bramley-Moore Dock stadium development.
There were even hopes within the bidders that the takeover could be concluded within three weeks, in time for a preseason game in Minneapolis, the home city of Maciek Kaminski [Independent].
But that will now not be happening as the period of exclusivity is over and Moshiri has moved on.
Liverpool Echo reporter Chris Beesley first wrote on Twitter: “BREAKING: Peter Kenyon US consortium’s attempts to buy Everton are over. I’m told the deal is ‘dead’.”
That was followed up by a post from Times reporter Paul Joyce on his own Twitter account that said: “The period of exclusivity for takeover talks between Everton and a consortium led by Peter Kenyon has expired and will not be extended.
“It is understood Everton owner Farhad Moshiri is now moving on from discussions with that group. His commitment is to deliver the stadium.”
Major
What could have been a pivotal moment in the club’s history looks to have disappeared with this news, and for now the rein of Moshiri and Bill Kenwright will continue.
That may not be the news that the fanbase wants to hear as both have become increasingly unpopular, with the latest issue the sale of Richarlison to Tottenham.
The commitment to the stadium development is good but the record of those in charge in recent seasons is not sparkling.
The losses that the club have incurred made the sale of the Brazilian star imperative, and it was pushed through before the end of June deadline to satisfy Premier League regulations on profit and sustainability.
The team only just escaped a first ever relegation from the division in the 2021/22 season, and fan protests marred the doomed Rafael Benitez era, as well as the search that eventually brought Frank Lampard in.
Hopes had been growing that the Kenyon consortium could swoop into rescue matters but that option appears to be gone.
When news first broke that talks had started on a takeover it emerged in The Mirror that there were multiple approaches so it remains to be seen whether one of the other attempts now develops.