By George Overhill

13th Sep, 2023 | 10:10am

Everton takeover news: 'Senior government figures' to put pressure on as 777 Partners in 'advanced' talks with Farhad Moshiri

The Premier League is facing “pressure” from “concerned senior government figures” over the possibility of Everton being bought by 777 Partners, according to The Telegraph.

The newspaper reported via their website on 12 September that “Whitehall sources” have “expressed doubt” over the American company’s suitability for ownership at Goodison Park.

According to the report figures within the government have “underlined they would be reluctant to directly intervene” since an independent regulator is already “looming”, while an official claimed it was “not a matter for ministers”, but the government are noted to have made their feelings clear behind the scenes on both Chelsea and Newcastle’s recent takeovers.

In response to allegations of fraud, offering illegal loans, failing to pay six-figure bills, and 2003 drugs charges for co-founder Josh Wander which he pleaded no contest to the firm told The Telegraph: “777 has always strived to conduct its businesses in line with local laws and regulations. Where it has been suggested otherwise, we will defend our reputation vigorously by all legitimate means.”

Doubts have also been raised as to whether the new Premier League owners and directors test, which contains new “disqualifying event” provisions since March this year, would see 777 Partners fall foul.

Scrutiny

Everton supporters might have hoped that any sale that sees the Moshiri era come to and end would have taken them off the radar of government, but the current talks don’t suggest that will be the case.

Links to Alisher Usmanov which the Toffees insist were all severed in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the ongoing financial concerns around the club in light of the independent regulator plans have kept the club in the spotlight in Westminster.

And with 777 arriving with a reputation that precedes them in some quarters it doesn’t look like is going to change any time soon.

What the government could do in practical terms, or what it is even their place to do, is a matter of some debate but with the Premier League currently trying to prove they can regulate themselves without a regulator the potential developments at Everton come at a complicated time.

Whether the growing assumption that 777 are on the brink of a takeover is premature remains to be seen, but after a summer where it was widely reported that MSP Sports Capital were close to minority investment, only for that deal to fall through in the past month, it is difficult to know with any certainty what comes next.

But Toffees fans, exhausted by the endless turmoil that seems to engulf the club these days, seem to be looking at more questions rather than answers at the moment.

In other Everton news, an expensive senior player is expected to leave but still cost the club.