Everton takeover must be completed in ‘three months’ after Saudi bid – Wyness
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has insisted the Premier League should implement a “three-month” time limit for top-flight takeovers.
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 – claimed the change would give “greater clarity to fans” after the long-running saga involving 777 Partners.
According to the BBC (10 June), a consortium of international investors, including a member of the Saudi royal family, has made a £400million offer to Everton.
Football Insider also revealed on Sunday (9 June) that owner Farhad Moshiri has received interest from several US investors who are in hot pursuit of a deal to take over the club.
Moshiri had agreed to sell his majority stake to US investors 777 Partners in September 2023, but they could not seal the deal after a long process, opening the way for others to make a takeover bid.
Everton deal must be done in three months as bids fly in, says Wyness
Wyness urged the Premier League to “safeguard the football product” after speculation about Everton’s future in recent months.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “I think the Premier League have got to work with the owners and put a time limit on how long these takeovers can go forward.
“There should be a timeline on bids.
“I’ve always thought three months is a good window. If you then need to review it, and extend it, that’s fine.
“We need shorter timelines in the bid process to give greater clarity to the fans.
“I think the staff, the players and the manager all need that clarity.
“The Premier League have a duty to safeguard the football product and not damage the business side.
“We’ve seen that happen over this last year with 777 Partners and Everton.”
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