777 Partners and John Textor verdict emerges from Brazil after Everton takeover update
Everton avoided “a big problem” by not being taken over by 777 Partners and would be much better under John Textor, according to Rodrigo Calvozzo.
The Brazilian journalist was speaking to the Liverpool Echo after 777’s deadline to complete a takeover deal at Goodison Park passed and discussed the plights of Vasco da Gama and Botafogo in his homeland.
Vasco were formerly owned by 777 and has experienced massive problems, whereas Botafogo improved significantly under the stewardship of prospective Toffees buyer John Textor.
Calvozzo said: “Given the experience we’ve seen, I would say that Everton got rid of a big problem. 777 was removed from Vasco’s management through legal action.
“Textor is an experienced investor and certainly has the capacity to manage a club like Everton. He is greatly admired among Botafogo fans.
“Botafogo has improved a lot compared to what it was experiencing before his arrival.”
Farhad Moshiri should pick John Textor over 777 in Everton sale
Everton’s prospective takeover has been ongoing for nine months now – largely thanks to Moshiri agreeing to a deal with 777 back in September which has never come close to fruition.
The US investment group have put over £200million into the club, on top of £158million loaned from MSP Capital, as reported by Kieran Maguire on 30 May, raising doubts over what Everton can do now moving forward.
That query was one shared by the league itself, which refused to pass 777’s proposals up to their share purchase agreement with Moshiri expiring on 31 May.
Textor already owns part of a Premier League club – Crystal Palace – and thus has passed their owners’ and directors’ tests, but if he’s to make good on his ambition to own Everton, he must sell his 45 per cent stake at Selhurst Park, as Maguire also made clear on 30 May.
A bullet may have been dodged to avoid the chaotic 777 ownership which Vasco da Gama fans were subjected to, but Everton fans will have to wait and see if Textor will be able to produce the changes which make him “greatly admired” at Botafogo.
In other Everton news, the Toffees want to sign an exit-bound Premier League ace to replace their own player who could depart this summer.
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