Exclusive: Everton takeover hijack could be given green light within one week – Wyness
Former Everton chief Keith Wyness explained that new owners could hijack and complete a takeover deal within one week once 777 Partners are rejected.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – revealed that due diligence took just one week when he oversaw an Aston Villa takeover.
The Toffees are waiting for the Premier League to either approve or reject a takeover deal from 777 Partners after they struck a £500million agreement with Farhad Moshiri in September.
As revealed by Football Insider, 777 Partners are set to have face-to-face talks with the Premier League as the takeover reaches the final stages.
If the Miami-based group is rejected, Wyness previously told Football Insider that two other US groups are ready to hijack the deal.
Wyness explained that any new owners would have to complete due diligence, but he revealed that the process could be completed before the end of the season.
Everton could have new owners – not 777 – before the summer transfer window
“If 777 Partners are rejected by mid-March or at the end of March at the latest, then I think a new owner would want to be in place before the end of the season,” Wyness told Football Insider.
“That’s going to be pretty hard with due diligence to be done, but it can be done.
“I remember when I was at Villa, the due diligence there only took a week – but that was unusual.
“But it can be done quickly and I think the new stadium is obviously the shining asset that people would want to get involved with the club for.
“Future forecasts of revenue streams are up so I think it could be done and Everton will hope to have a new owner before the transfer window opens up.“
In other news, Everton can now land two-point deduction in new twist – Wyness
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