Everton takeover: Wyness tells Premier League to pay up after ‘more bad news’
Former Everton chief Keith Wyness has urged the Premier League to draft in additional resources to decide on the club’s proposed 777 Partners takeover.
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 – questioned whether the league are doing enough to reach a verdict on the US-based investors.
777 Partners agreed a £500million takeover deal with Everton chairman Farhad Moshiri in September, but they are yet to receive approval from the Premier League.
Concerns have emerged about the group’s sources of funding and their dealings at other clubs, including Belgian side Standard Liege.
Wyness slams Premier League over Everton takeover delays
777 have reportedly loaned Everton a total figure of around £190million to help with stadium construction and running costs.
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “We had more unfavourable news about 777 Partners this week – about their reinsurance company and credit ratings.
“I don’t know if that’s been helpful, and I don’t know what the Premier League’s view on that is.
“But again, we’re stuck in terms of timings.
“The Ratcliffe takeover at Man United was approved in 51 days, I believe we’re almost at 180 days to approve the 777 deal.
“There’s due process, I understand that – but are the correct resources being applied by the Premier League to do things in a timely fashion?
“It doesn’t seem to be the case, for me.
“The Premier League has a lot of money to bring in the resources it needs to come to a conclusion. I don’t know why it hasn’t been done more expeditiously given the impact it’s now having on the competition.”
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