Legal sources 'Convinced' in Everton takeover update after Moshiri-Usmanov legal case - journalist

Everton buyers should be protected against complications thrown up by a legal dispute between Farhad Moshiri and Alisher Usmanov by a letter of assurance, according to Paul Brown.

The journalist reported via X on 10 September that legal sources insist such a mechanism would be sufficient to bypass any blowback from cash spent on buying the club subsequently becoming involved in a case being held behind closed doors in Russia.

The Athletic reported on 10 September that at least one bidder had raised concerns about breaking sanctions laws if Moshiri were to use money to pay damages to Usmanov, who was sanctioned by the UK government in 2022 due to links to Russian president Vladmiri Putin and saw Everton forced to rapidly sever ties.

But Brown wrote: “Usmanov has taken legal action vs a company owned by Moshiri but the case is being held behind closed doors.

“Legal sources I spoke to were convinced a letter of assurance from Moshiri should be enough to protect a buyer of Everton with concerns over where their [money] might end up.”

Lyon owner John Textor in exclusive Everton negotiations

It appears there is a simple fix as it relates to the takeover process falling foul of the government’s move in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine.

John Textor is currently in exclusive talks to buy the club from Moshiri and reportedly feels he can secure a deal with the majority shareholder in just a month [Guardian, 10 September].

He will no doubt require a letter of assurance, or already has been provided one, to allay fears of the Usmanov issue coming back to bite him.

Whether he is able to complete the entire process is another question, with major hurdles relating to his status as part-owner of Crystal Palace to clear, before he attempts to overcome issues at Everton which his predecessor in takeover race saw as “unresolvable” when he withdrew his own bid [Talking The Blues, 20 July].

Some close to the takeover process are said to believe that Friedkin’s candidacy is not yet over and he will still return to the picture [Paul Brown, 29 August], with Textor considered not a serious option.

It appears the potential Usmanov issue shouldn’t be a serious stumbling block, but the legal and financial uncertainty associated with debt to former buyers 777 Partners, now taken over by lenders A-Cap, could be [The Athletic, 20 July].

In other Everton news, Toffees figures like a former Chelsea manager amid doubts over the future of Sean Dyche.

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