Pete Hanson

Wed 18 October 2023 14:10, UK

There is still a huge amount of uncertainty surrounding the takeover of Everton by 777 Partners.

Indeed, a concerning report published by the New York Times on Wednesday (18 October) suggested the Miami-based investment firm has failed to provide audited financial statements to a British government regulator.

It added that failure to do so or to offer a valid explanation could see the deal, which would see 777 acquire Farhad Moshiri’s 94 per cent stake, collapse and leave Everton facing further financial uncertainty.

But if a deal does go ahead, there are signs that 777 are already having an influence, not least by the fact the Toffees have been linked with a move for 18-year-old Corinthians winger Wesley Gassova.

TEAMtalk wrote on Monday (16 October) that Everton are exploring a move to bring the Brazilian to Goodison Park, and moreover he could be available for as little as £10million due to a clause in his contract involving European clubs.

777 Partners operate a multi-club model, which includes Vasco da Gama in Brazil, and the theory behind their model is to have a network of scouts all over the world and using shared data to build squads for their teams.

Links to Wesley not only fit a clear change in direction to transfer policy at Everton, with a focus on younger, cheaper talent with significant resale value, but also the fact the financial situation at Goodison Park remains precarious.

Even if 777 do get the green light for their takeover, the club will need to box clever in the transfer market and a young player coming relatively cheap fits the mould.

The takeover is yet to be ratified, and there remain serious hurdles to overcome before the deal is signed and sealed, but already there are indications that 777 are implementing their plans.

In other Everton news, one journalist was wowed by what Jordan Pickford did on England duty.