Alisher Usmanov rumours 'haven't come from nowhere' as Everton takeover twist emerges - Finance Guru

Rumours of Alisher Usmanov's interest in an Everton takeover at the Hill Dickinson Stadium are likely to have some truth to them.

That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider that there is not often smoke without fire in these situations.

Several potential investors will have had their alarm bells sound after The Friedkin Group (TFG) put the Toffees up for sale after 21 months in charge.

Amanda Staveley, formerly of Newcastle United, has been heavily linked with the Merseyside giants, but it could be some time before new owners are found.

Alan Brazil, live on talkSPORT, has revealed information about Usmanov, a former Arsenal shareholder and Farhad Moshiri ally, wanting to invest in the Toffees.

Usmanov, however, was sanctioned after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with the UK government imposing a travel ban and freezing his assets.

Alisher Umanov interest in Everton 'not impossible'

Brazil suggested that the Uzbek-born Russian billionaire wants his sanctions uplifted so that he can have a real chance of becoming Everton's new owner.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson has refused to rule out the possibility of his interest, but argued that getting his sanctions removed would be the much harder battle.

"The amazing thing is that the war's been going on for longer than World War II. You would think that there will be some resolution to it relatively soon," he said.

"Look, he's not going to get a pass from his sanctions just because he wants to invest in Everson, that's for sure. If he was cleared, I think it's not impossible that he would be interested.

"Although, if he was behind [Farhad] Moshiri, as has been rumoured, then clearly quite a lot of money has been spent historically.

"Stories like that don't tend to come from nowhere. So I suspect that there are people relatively close to the situation around Everton who have had those conversations."

What connections does Usmanov have to Everton?

It has been argued that due to his strong links to former Everton owner Moshiri, even dating back to their time at Arsenal together.

It was reported back in 2023 that companies linked to Usmanov provided Moshiri with more than £400 million in funding or financial benefits.

Both men have disputed these reports, though. Either way, it is unlikely that fans would want someone linked with Moshiri coming aboard.

The ownership situation does need solving, with TFG already wanting out, but the Toffees need to be careful about who comes next on Merseyside.