Everton takeover agreement wanted within days after new bid sent to Farhad Moshiri
Andy Bell and George Downing hope to get a bid to buy Everton accepted by Farhad Moshiri within a matter of days, according to talkSPORT.
The outlet reported via their website on Saturday 8 June that the pair of Toffees supporters, who have already loaned around £50million of their personal roughly-£900m fortune to the club, had submitted a formal seven-figure offer to the majority shareholder, and are “hopeful” it will be successful as early as next week.
Bell and Downing’s bid is being backed by Michael Dell, the American computing billionaire worth an estimated £78billion, whose private investment fund is believed to be providing financial support rather than driving the bid.
The pair of Evertonians reportedly believe that profit and sustainability rules are now favouring fan-owned clubs as the regulations, which saw the club hit by two points deductions last term for a pair of breaches, “encourage clubs to grow revenues rather than rely on rich owners”.
Andy Bell and George Downing backed by Michael Dell in Everton takeover bid
There are bound to be a decent number of Bell and Downing’s fellow Evertonians who hope the pair are successful in getting the green light in quick time.
MSP Sports Capital, Roma chief Dan Friedkin, and major backer of 777 Partner’s doomed bid A-Cap, are all in the race [BBC Sport, 8 June], but part owner of Crystal Palace John Textor, however, has withdrawn from the race entirely [Bloomberg, 7 June], having confirmed to Goodison News that he was at no point a frontrunner.
Moshiri therefore has a responsibility to the club to make the most sensible choice for the future rather than just the sentimental one, although the financial might of Dell certainly seems to boost the Bell-Downing offer.
However, given he remained committed to the Josh Wander and company’s offer from mid-September all the way through to the end of May despite mounting red flags there may not be overwhelming confidence in him doing so.
At the very least there are now developments happening at a much-increased pace in the form of multiple potential buyers emerging who, for the most part, look a lot more feasible than 777 did.
There is perhaps even hope now that the ownership uncertainty which has swirled around Everton for well over a year might even be cleared up ready for the start of next season, although there are still plenty of hurdles to clear even if a new exclusivity agreement is reached.
In other Everton news, a “key ambition” for Sean Dyche in the transfer window is available to sign for the club.
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