Merchant bank ready to finance part of Everton takeover as bids fly in - Paul Joyce

Everton owner Farhad Moshiri may be about to enter yet another period of exclusivity for his sale of the club, according to Paul Joyce.

The report in The Times [6 June] reveals that two parties are now locked in the chase to acquire Moshiri’s controlling stake at Goodison Park.

Andy Bell and George Downing, two local businessmen, and US-based firm MSP Sports Capital headed up by Jahm Najafi and Jeff Moorad, are leading the chase to continue crucial discussions with Moshiri following the believed collapse of the long drawn-out 777 Partners saga.

Joyce notes that the two parties were the main creditors of the £158m loan which 777 failed to repay on Everton’s behalf, the funds injected into the development of the Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium.

Merchant bank BDT & MSD Partners are also reportedly ready to finance part of the deal, with Joyce claiming: “Sources indicated that it was backing MSP, although there was no official confirmation.”

Everton takeover talks could again become exclusive

Moshiri’s eagerness to sell the club has been highlighted once more by his willingness to enter a period of exclusivity with either or both of the two interested parties, having only last week closed the same opportunity to 777 Partners after failing to meet their 31 May deadline.

The pair are contrasting in terms of an Everton fan view – many could appreciate the local community backing behind Downing and Bell and feel the local pair represent a more trustworthy candidacy.

As for MSP, the American organisation have been involved in football in recent years, acquiring clubs in Spain and Portugal.

If the rumoured backing of MSP from BDT & MSD Partners is accurate, this could constitute a heavier hand at the table to Moshiri.

Elsewhere there is John Textor, the Lyon and Botafogo owner, who would have to sell his 43% share in Crystal Palace to proceed with a takeover of a fellow Premier League club, a major obstacle in a potential agreement at Goodison.

In other Everton news, released midfielder Andre Gomes is close to finding a new club.

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