Everton takeover: 777 could buy club in cut-price deal if they get relegated – sources
Potential Everton owners 777 Partners have many “red flags” that put a takeover at major risk.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that the American private investment company’s takeover remains “up in the air” and they may not get the deal over the line.
The Miami-based group have now pushed back their target date to buy 94.1 per cent of Farhad Moshiri’s stake in the club after they were reportedly granted a last-gasp extension to repay £160million of loans to MSP Sports Capital.
It is believed that the loan extension will expire early next month which has put the future of Sean Dyche’s side under major threat.
Everton takeover by 777 ‘up in the air’ after new development
MSP, a sports private equity firm, lent 777 vast sums of money to keep Everton afloat and pay for running costs amid their attempts to buy the club.
Moshiri led talks to secure the loan extension, but he could be at risk of losing control of the Merseysiders to MSP as 777’s mega-money loan was secured against 51 per cent of his stake in the club.
O’Rourke also told Football Insider that 777 could “potentially” be seeking to buy Everton on a cut-price deal if they are relegated to the Championship at the end of the season.
O’Rourke also noted the multiple other controversies around the Josh Wander-led group that put the takeover in doubt, including owing creditors of Genoa, another club on their books, upwards of £140million.
777 agreed to buy Moshiri’s stake in the club back in September for £500million, but uncertainty around the financial future of the club could plunge them into administration.
Everton sit 16th in the Premier League table after their 6-0 thrashing against Chelsea on Monday night (15 April).
They are next in action against 17th-place Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon (21 April).
In other news, 777 Partners’ Dyche sack plan revealed.
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