Josh Wander set to plead guilty after Everton takeover bid opened can of worms

Josh Wander has been facing stern legal battles since his efforts to buy Everton in 2024.

The 44-year-old has been in seriously hot water over the past two years.

He was a co-founder of 777 Partners who loaned £200million to the Toffees to help keep them afloat.

They went on to reach an agreement with Farhad Moshiri to purchase a controlling share at Goodison, but a deal ultimately collapsed.

That has gone on to be seen as a major bullet dodged by the Merseyside club.

Those thoughts have only been amplified further as Wander prepares for trial in America.

What accusations is Josh Wander facing?

The US-consortium came in with an attempt to buy the Blues, but failed to prove funds before the purchase fell through.

There was good reason for that as they have faced legal problems ever since.

The co-founder Wander was charged with fraud in October 2025 and is now preparing for trial.

Bloomberg now reports that he is set to change his plea from not-guilty, to guilty.

He is scheduled to do so before a hearing with a Manhattan judge ahead of a trial that was scheduled for the week commencing 19 October.

Wander is accused of cheating lenders and investors out of nearly £420m.

This is all said to have come to the fore after 777 Partners' attempts to buy Everton "led to harsh scrutiny of its finances", sparking lenders to accuse them of fraud.

It is reported that the 44-year-old could face up to 20 years in prison if he is convicted of the most serious charges.

How things have changed for Everton and 777 Partners

There was so much uncertainty surrounding the L3 club in the final weeks and months of Farhad Moshiri.

Financial issues were well known and points deductions became something fans had to get used to.

That is where 777 Partners looked to come in.

In October 2023, they penned their "Message to Evertonians" and were keen to endear themselves to supporters with mentions of Alan Ball and Z-Cars.

Cast your mind to the present day and the Toffees are led by The Friedkin Group and are in a stable situation.

That while 777 Partners is bankrupt and Wander is changing his plea to guilty after being accused of fraud.

It's all about sliding doors moments in football and it finally seems as if Everton have come out on the right side of one.