Everton takeover: 777 Partners approval update ahead of imminent Premier League decision
Everton “insiders” still insist that 777 Partners completing their takeover of the club is on the cards, according to the Liverpool Echo.
Chris Beesley reported via the local outlet’s website on 16 March that the message coming from the club is that the “mood music” around the long-awaited Premier League decision on the Americans’ bid remains positive.
The exact opposite has been proposed elsewhere, but with the Echo journalist highlighting the importance of avoiding financial ruin and relegation if the club hopes to keep hold of star defender Jarrad Branthwaite he relayed an upbeat message from Goodison Park on the takeover question.
Beesley wrote: “With the club having corrected [their original points deduction] through the appeal which saw them get four points back, it’s vital that those within Goodison Park’s corridors of power – club insiders insist that the mood music around the prospects of 777 Partners’ proposed takeover finally getting approval remains positive – ensure the Blues avoid a similar fate to [Portsmouth – deducted nine points for going into administration in 2009/10] because for all his endeavours, there would be nothing Dyche could do to save them then.”
777 Partners still expected to complete Everton takeover?
Once the Premier League finally give their decision on the takeover, which is expected to be next week [Guardian, 15 March], then some people will be heavily vindicated and others will be left with egg on their face.
Plenty of reporting has suggested it is impossible, or at the very least undesirable for 777 to come in at Goodison Park, while noises from Josh Wander, his company and the club have routinely suggested otherwise.
In the short term it seems certain it will be far more painful if they are denied since their loans towards the running costs of the club, believed to have reached close to £200million over the past six months, would presumably end and leave the financial picture looking dire.
That could easily spark summer exits for the likes of Jarrad Branthwaite and Amadou Onana even if the dreaded administration is avoided.
But in light of how other clubs have faired under the leadership of the Miami-based firm there are fears in some quarters that it would be worse long term for them to get the green light.
And yet, as ever, throughout it all it is the Everton fanbase, and the team itself, that is stuck in the middle seemingly between a rock and a hard place.
In other Everton news, one senior Toffee was forced to step in after an incident occurred during the Portuguese training camp trip between the manager and an out-of-favour player.
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