Andy Burnham makes plea to Farhad Moshiri live on BBC over 777 Partners takeover at Everton
Andy Burnham has urged Farhad Moshiri to forget about 777 Partners and instead open talks with other prospective Everton owners “as quickly as possible”.
Nine months on from 777 reaching an agreement to purchase Moshiri’s full stake in the club, 777’s takeover attempt appeared to collapse last week.
However, The Telegraph reported on Tuesday (14 May) that Moshiri has agreed an extension with 777 until the end of the month to try to reach an agreement.
Speaking live on BBC Radio Merseyside [15 May, 6:49pm], Mayor of Greater Manchester Burnham said: “I know I’m not alone in saying we’ve had misgiving about the prospective owners that have only grown in the minds of Everton supporters as we’ve learned more.
“I’d be urging the current owner to open up discussions with other partners as quickly as possible. There are better potential owners out there. I’m just giving an honest answer as I see it.
“I have real concerns if we were to proceed now on the basis that the club has been working. We need to open up to other possibilities. That is something we’d all ask the current owner to do.”
Everton cannot continue with 777 Partners takeover
Not to state the obvious, but it has been clear for months – particularly over the past couple of weeks – that 777 Partners are simply not in a position to take over Everton.
It is not hyperbolic to suggest that the future of the club could be in jeopardy if the American investment fund is allowed to proceed with talks and purchase the Toffees.
There have been warning signs aplenty, and it looked as though the deal was finally off last week. Moshiri clearly does not see it that way, though, and talks appear to be ongoing behind the scenes.
As a reminder, a whole season has basically passed since 777 first reached an agreement with Moshiri and the present day. How has this been allowed to happen?
As Burnham says, Moshiri needs to move on and find an owner that is truly capable of running the club. The longer the wait goes on, the more concerned supporters will grow.
In other Everton news, the Toffees’ stance on a permanent deal for one of their loanees has been shared.
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