Everton stadium: Keith Wyness reveals ‘big hurdle’ has emerged
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed cash flow issues and the 777 Partners court case are “hurdles” the club faces in the new stadium project.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – suggested around £30million of payments will be outstanding to builders Laing O’Rourke.
Everton started work on the new stadium on Bramley-Moore Dock in 2021, with the club expected to move into the new ground ahead of the 2025-26 season.
The development was initially projected to cost around £500million but is now expected to set the Merseysiders back more than £800million.
The Toffees have been plunged into uncertainty once again after The Friedkin Group pulled out of a takeover last month, following 777 Partners’ withdrawal in June.
Everton still face ‘hurdles’ as 100-day stadium countdown begins, says Wyness
Wyness claimed the ongoing legal fight between 777 and lenders Leadenhall in New York could also be a stumbling block for the stadium project.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “I think we’ll be okay to finish the stadium.
“Around £30million of the £800million is left to pay, that would be my guess.
“I have seen that the stadium is around 100 days away from being completely fitted out.
“It looks fantastic – it was always going to be a great stadium and better than people imagined.
“The question will be in terms of cash flow and how things sit just after Christmas.
“We’re hopeful, and I’m hopeful that this transaction can be completed and the stadium build is completed.
“The big hurdle at the moment is the court case between 777 and Leadenhall, and we’re yet to see what will come out of that.”
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