Everton takeover update as 777 Partners deal encountering a ‘few problems’ – Ben Jacobs
Ben Jacobs has provided an update on 777 Partners’ takeover of Everton, suggesting the deal to acquire the Toffees has encountered a “few problems”.
The American investment firm has agreed on a deal to acquire Farhad Moshiri’s 94.1 per cent majority stake in the Toffees and is confident that the takeover will be approved having submitted the correct paperwork to the financial conduct authority, the FA and the Premier League.
But despite 777’s confidence, CBS Journalist Jacobs has suggested that the deal has encountered a number of stumbling blocks and should the relegated clubs take legal action against Everton it could put a huge strain on the Toffees’ finances.
As quoted by Give Me Sport (29 November) he said: “Everton are waiting to see how the different legal cases pan out. If they go against them, including the compensation case for Leeds, Leicester, and Burnley, it could really put the club’s finances under significant further strain.
“And that’s obviously why it’s important for Everton that 777 Partners come in as soon as possible, but that deal itself has had a few problems too. It’s a very unstable period for Everton. But on the field, they’re doing okay, they’re playing well, they’re doing more than okay, they’re playing very well.
“Regardless of whether it’s 10 points or whether it’s reduced or whether it’s overturned, the priority will be just to keep focusing on the football because even if the punishment stays as it is, Everton will feel like they can stay up.”
Problems
It feels as though problems, 777 Partners and Everton all go hand in hand currently with the action never stopping at Goodison Park. Since it was announced the American firm had agreed on a takeover deal with the Toffees it feels as though a day hasn’t gone without another piece of bad press surrounding them.
They have remained publically confident throughout the entire process that the takeover will be approved by the relevant authorities, but it appears as though things aren’t running as smoothly behind the scenes at Goodison Park.
In a period of immense instability in the blue half of Merseyside, the last thing Everton need is a new owner who is unable to provide the necessary financial support from the top.
Moshiri may not be a liked presence at Goodison Park but it is hard to believe that 777 Partners are a much better alternative for Everton. If this deal goes through, it may not provide the relief that supporters expected from a takeover.
In other Everton news, one Premier League chief has hit back at Andy Burnham’s response to the Toffees’ point deduction