Everton: Josh Wander responds to Simon Stone in new 777 Partners takeover update

Simon Stone attempted to speak to 777 Partners owner Josh Wander at the Financial Times Business of Football summit, but he was ignored amid rumours surrounding the Everton takeover.

The BBC journalist shared that, while Wander wasn't up for talking, he is still waiting for a final decision on the takeover from the Premier League.

He went on to insist that this is not a decision the Premier League can afford to get wrong, whichever way their verdict goes, with the pressure of a possible independent regulator mounting.

Writing in a Q&A for BBC Sport [4 March, 10:56], Stone shared: "I have to admit, it has all gone very quiet. Josh Wander was at the FT Business of Football summit on Thursday and I did try to grab a word with him but he wasn’t so interested in talking.

"Like everyone else, he is waiting for the Premier League to reach a decision. It has almost been forgotten that it was September when the deal with Farhad Moshiri was struck.

"For context, Sir Jim Ratcliffe announced his deal with Manchester United on 24 December and that has already been approved.

"This is not something the Premier League can afford to get wrong, especially with the impending appointment of a Football Regulator hanging over them."

Everton takeover rumours continue to swirl around 777 Partners

The most recent update from the Daily Mail's Matt Hughes was that the Premier League are edging closer to making a decision on the takeover, and have arranged to meet with 777 Partners this week, although it remains unclear which way the call will go.

Premier League CEO Richard Masters had previously suggested the correct documents had not been provided by the group, causing the seemingly endless delays, but this was dismissed by Everton's Chief Legal Counsel Katie Charles.

Charles also confessed that talks between the Premier League and 777 were progressing, and now with a meeting arranged to take place this week, we may be closer than ever to a final decision.

However, given the concerns surrounding 777 and the takeover, many have suggested that even if the deal is approved, it could be a dangerous situation for the club - with author Martin Calladine even suggesting they could "destroy" Everton.

In other Everton news, The Esk has raised a new Farhad Moshiri question.

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