Crook slams Moshiri as Everton takeover uncertainty continues

Farhad Moshiri has been “naive” in persisting with his aim to strike a takeover deal for Everton with 777 Partners, according to Alex Crook on talkSPORT.

Crook was discussing the state of play at Goodison Park with Natalie Sawyer and Tony Cascarino on Sunday morning [9 June, 08:42], claiming the 777 deal was “never getting off the ground” and that the club are right to be inviting bids from prospective new buyers.

Three known bids are currently on Moshiri’s table for a potential takeover – the latest bidder to crop up is £400million all-equity offer for Everton from a group of international investors, led by London-based Vatche Manoukian [The Athletic].

Crook said: “You only had to do a Google search [on 777] to see how dubious this company are to say the least. Just look at the airlines they were in charge of that went bust with planes on the runway; other clubs under their umbrella where players weren’t being paid and fans were protesting.

“I think Farhad Moshiri was naive to think that would be given approval, but I guess what they did do was loan the football club money to stave off that immediate threat of administration – so Everton at least have benefitted in that respect.

“However, there is some light at the end of the tunnel now for the club, because that 777 deal was never going to get off the ground. The Premier League can stop people buying clubs if they’re not thought to be fit and proper owners, but it never even really got to that stage.”

Farhad Moshiri now entertaining multiple bids for Everton

Following the expiry of the exclusivity agreement between Moshiri and 777 on 31 May, numerous parties have shown no hesitation in stepping forward.

Moshiri perhaps felt a loyalty to the company who had been bankrolling the club throughout the season – though that was the limit of the impact 777 could make due to the eight-month delay by the Premier League on allowing a takeover to be completed.

Manoukian’s consortium is the latest to come into the fold, whilst local businessmen and Everton supporters Andy Bell and George Downing have been backed by many supporters.

It was reported on Friday (7 June) by Alan Myers that an unnamed US-based group of “large financial backing” had entered the race to acquire Moshiri’s control.

Bell has in recent weeks founded Toffee Ventures, a new company which is being invested in through the sale of significant shares in Bell’s other founder businesses.

Michael Dell is unable to complete a full takeover due to a conflict of interest with other clubs invested into by his company MSD Partners, whilst Dan Friedkin is aiming to purchase a 45% stake with full control [La Gazzetta Dello Sport, 9 June]. The story continues once more.

In other Everton news, Danny Dyer has had his say on Jarrad Branthwaite’s England omission.

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