Everton takeover: Investors will ‘run a mile’ after dramatic twist – Borson
Farhad Moshiri’s legal issues with Russian businessman Alisher Usmanov have added a further complication to the Everton takeover situation.
That is the view of finance expert Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider any potential buyers would ordinarily “run a mile” after hearing the Everton owner is being sued by his former ally.
The Athletic reported on 10 September former Everton sponsor Usmanov has taken legal action against a company owned by Moshiri.
The Russian’s firm USM provided £12million a year in sponsorship to the Merseysiders before his funding stopped in March 2022 after being sanctioned by the UK, US, and European Union following the invasion of Ukraine.
Documents filed at Moscow’s Arbitration Court in September 2023 have shown Somelior Holdings Limited, which is wholly owned by Moshiri, as one of six defendants in a case brought forward by Usmanov and USM.
That could have potential implications on the Iranian’s efforts to sell Everton, with John Textor currently in a period of exclusivity to buy the club.
Everton issues add further complexity to takeover situation
Borson insisted it’s hard to predict how the takeover situation will pan out due to the various issues surrounding the Merseysiders.
He told Football Insider: “We know about the Leadenhall issue, which is ongoing with 777 and the money that they have got in the situation, which has now been put back for a hearing in December.
“That isn’t going to be resolved any time soon.
“Then on top of that, we did learn this week that Moshiri has been sued in Russia by Usmanov.
“We have obviously got no visibility whatsoever in relation to that, it’s a private arbitration in Russia.
“Even if we had the papers, which we don’t, it would be very hard for us to assess the risk there.
“But clearly, these are complexities that ordinarily any buyer would run a mile from. You would just go and buy something else.
“But there are a finite number of top Premier League clubs and Everton are definitely one of them if you can get it right there.
“As they move into a new stadium, it’s not surprising that people are interested.
“But it’s a difficult and expensive deal to do, and it’s got lots of wrinkles. We will have to see.
“It’s very hard to predict accurately how that situation will play out.”
In other news, Dyche sack update emerges from Everton as Textor ‘lines up replacement’.
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