Dominic King hits out at Everton, 777 Partners ‘disgrace’ amid takeover uncertainty
Dominic King says it is a “disgrace” Everton cannot work on agreeing new contracts with players due to the 777 Partners takeover uncertainty.
Six players are due to be out of contract at the end of the campaign, while Jack Harrison and Arnaut Danjuma will return to their parent clubs.
Seven others will have 12 months to run on their existing deals at Goodison Park come the summer, meanwhile.
Writing for the Daily Mail [3 April] after the 1-1 draw with Luton Town, King said: “Kevin Thelwell, Everton’s Sporting Director, was in situ at Kenilworth Road, but he cannot begin to tackle the backlog of deals until the farcical situation around who will own Everton next is resolved – the longer time ticks by without 777 partners being announced, the more you worry.
“What a disgrace it has come to this. When [Sean] Dyche talks and stresses that there is “still miles and miles to go” to find level ground, this explains his rationale. If six players go out the door in June, where is the money going to be found to simply bring in bodies?”
Everton players out of contract this summer
Idrissa Gueye, Andre Gomes, Seamus Coleman, Ashley Young and Andy Lonergan are all due to become free agents in around a month’s time.
Dele Alli is also out of contract, but it is surely safe to assume at this point that he will be looking to kickstart his career away from Merseyside.
You then have the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucoure who could leave for nothing in 2025.
Until the 777 Partners takeover goes through – if indeed it does – there is not a lot the Toffees can do to tie those players down.
It puts into stark reality just how bleak the whole situation is right now, and it could still be week until we find out more.
Come that point, those aforementioned players may well have been approached by other clubs – and you would not blame them for jumping ship.
The aim of survival may have been achieved this season, but it may be an even tougher task in 2024-25 if the squad is depleted this summer.
In other Everton news, concern has been raised amid the threat of a nine-point penalty next season.
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