Everton takeover race expands again as another new US consortium emerges led by ex-player
Farhad Moshiri has interest in an Everton deal from an American consortium led by a former MLS player, according to the Liverpool Echo.
Dave Powell reported via the local outlet’s website on 12 June that “interest in the club remains high” with numerous parties mentioned in the frame in the wake of 777 Partners’ failure to complete their deal.
High-profile bids from Evertonian duo Andy Bell and George Downing, backed by US billionaire Michael Dell, as well as fellow Toffees creditors MSP Sports Capital are arguably most prominent, while a consortium including Saudi royal backing and led by Vatche Manoukian have also bid.
But in addition to the likes of Roma chief Dan Friedkin another US consortium has now emerged as interested with an unnamed ex-pro at the head.
Farhad Moshiri has extensive interest in a deal to buy Everton
Interest is certainly high in the Toffees, and as an historic Premier League club with a new stadium majority-built that should come as little surprise.
But given the complicated financial picture that already counts Bell and Downing, MSP, 777, and Rights and Media Funding Ltd among those who are owed significant amounts of money, not to mention what Moshiri himself might be hoping to get out of a sale, the amount of realistic options is likely narrower.
A number of the names reported as in the race have already been dismissed in different quarters, while one has already withdrawn [Bloomberg, 7 June] so the presumed winners of the race may already be identifiable.
But if new parties keep emerging into the picture it may be a while before Moshiri grants exclusivity again, as he may want to keep his options open in the hopes of getting a better return on the hundreds of millions his has put into the club.
The majority shareholder is unlikely to get anywhere near the same amount back, but it has been speculated that his commitment to the doomed 777 bid, despite the red flags surrounding the Miami firm, was down to them offering him the best price [Price of Football, 4 June].
Whether the consortium fronted by the ex-MLS player puts in an official bid or not remains to be seen, and until the details and identities involved in that interest are known it will be impossible to judge how serious to take them.
But the fact that different parties continue to materialise might yet see the process get bogged down at a time when fans might finally be hopeful of some meaningful progress after months of the opposite through last season.
In other Everton news, a first-team Toffees player has rejected club offers to extend his deal and could now be set to leave.
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