George Overhill

Thu 27 July 2023 17:40, UK

The latest update from this week on the long-awaited MSP Sports Capital investment at Everton is still that it is “close”, according to Paul Joyce in The Times.

The arrival of the Americans has been in the offing since before the end of last season but with the new campaign around the corner an announcement has still not arrived.

The Toffees are straining in the transfer market, with just free agent Ashley Young and loan arrival Arnaut Danjuma brought in, and while the investment deal is geared towards completing the new dockside stadium build a positive impact on transfer negotiations has been mooted.

Joyce wrote in The Times (26 July): “The looming investment deal with America’s MSP Sports Capital, described again this week as “close”, is to help with the funding of the club’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.

“The arrival of MSP, which will lead to local businessmen Andy Bell and George Downing joining the board, would not free the club to spend more on transfers, given the profit and sustainability guidelines.

“However, it would provide greater flexibility in how the director of football, Kevin Thelwell, can try to structure incoming transfers, which would make negotiations smoother.”

Wait goes on

Anything that aids the Toffees’ attempts to strengthen the team would be desirable, with the battle to sign El Bilal Touré ahead of Atalanta apparently falling short.

And the uncertainty that is inevitable until official confirmation on the MSP deal arrives, and its resulting boardroom effects, does little for fans hopes ahead of the new season.

Having got to this point, especially in light of the suggestion that Farhad Moshiri deliberately kept Bill Kenwright on as chairman for his negotiating expertise in the window, that the club is now waiting for deadline day to pass to move the 77-year-old on and install the new men on the board.

While that shouldn’t be what the Everton transfer window lives and dies by it would forego the flexibility boost that Thelwell has been mooted to receive if he had that certainty behind him.

There hasn’t been any suggestion anywhere that the MSP arrangement is in any jeopardy, and any such deal can hardly be rushed, but the longer it goes without confirmation the more it invites speculation.

Strengthening the squad is of primary concern to most at this stage, and with barely over a month left before deadline day the Toffees are starting to cut it fine for picking up key additions.

In other Everton news, an encouraging Willy Gnonto update has emerged for the final weeks of the window despite the previous reported bid being rejected.