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Richard Keys issues 'shocking' Farhad Moshiri verdict on 777 takeover ahead of Everton vs Arsenal kick off
Farhad Moshiri has run Everton into a “shocking mess” and there is no cause for celebration if 777 Partners now takeover, according to Richard Keys.
The beIN Sports host said live on the channel ahead of the Toffees’ clash with Arsenal (17 September) that the current owner has “nowhere to turn”, as he left Andy Gray feeling hopeless with his assessment of the takeover situation.
Everton announced an agreement had been signed on 15 September for Miami-based 777 to purchase Moshiri’s 94.1% share of the club, but major doubts have already been raised over the move.
Keys said: “Moshiri has no games left, nowhere to turn, no cards to play. They’ve just run it into a shocking mess.”
Gray replied: “You don’t fill me with much hope. I was looking to be brought up a bit.”
“It’s realistic,” Keys went on, “I wouldn’t be celebrating as an Evertonian if we were changing ownership from Moshiri to 777. Not one jot.”
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Last resort
Everyone is still waiting to see whether this deal actually goes through, given questions have been noted on various elements of it.
Since the expected MSP Sports Capital investment fell through last month, just as the Peter Kenyon-fronted consortium of a year ago fell by the wayside, it wouldn’t be the first time there was a false alarm on the club’s future.
In this instance it is clearly a lot closer to reality for the club to issue an official statement on the expected sale, but Keys’ verdict, unfortunately, will likely ring true for a number of supporters.
The timing of the news, in the run up to another important game as Mikel Arteta’s side visits Goodison Park in a repeat of Sean Dyche’s first in charge, has also been criticised.
The manager and the players will be forced to ignore the noise off the pitch as best they can to avoid a third relegation battle on the bounce.
There is ongoing uncertainty attached to nearly every area of the club right now and the prospect of the long-mooted change at the top hasn’t so far brought the confidence and security that would have been hoped for.
In other Everton news, the takeover has already been tipped to fall through before 777 can complete the deal.