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Everton takeover talk cools after UK govt doubts and further questions

By Matt Townsend

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 21: Farhad Moshiri, owner of Everton looks on from the stands prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Everton FC at London Stadium on January 21, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 21: Farhad Moshiri, owner of Everton looks on from the stands prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Everton FC at London Stadium on January 21, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) /
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The UK authorities have expressed concerns about the takeover of Everton by US investment group 777 Partners as a potential deal is put into further question.

Just a few days ago it had seemed as though the Americans could well be edging closer to taking over the Toffees, but now further complications have emerged.

Everton owner Farhad Moshiri had recently re-opened discussions with 777 after a rival US group, MSP Sports Capital, had withdrawn from further investment in the Blues.

Their financial commitment to completing the building of the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, appears to be continuing, but they are no longer going to put money into the club itself.

That is something that is certainly needed as the Toffees try to deal with years of excess and failed spending.

All this talk had begun in earnest at the end of last year and the beginning of this as both American investment groups emerged as potentially ready to put serious money into Everton.

Since then another smaller UK-based group has also injected finance into the club and their involvment has complicated things leading to MSP withdrawing.

One of the major problems that has then emerged this week is the involvement of the UK government in any possible takeover.

According to reports today, the domestic authorities in Britain are concerned about the background of the group’s leading lights, in particular some of their past activities and legal problems.

This might possibly lead to them expressing formal concerns about a potential takeover if discussions moved as far as that.

Although the UK government cannot officially block a deal, it would be a major issue were they to object and it would be hard to see how a deal could then go ahead.

It all makes for fairly unhelpful reading and thows considerable doubt onto the viability of this group taking over Everton.

As all this is going on the Toffees squad is preparing for a huge game at Goodison Park this weekend against Arsenal.

The Blues desperately need points after a truly terrible start to the new campaign, which has seen the team only pick up a single point after four matches.

Takeover talk won’t have any immediate impact on any of those preparations but it all adds to a sense of permanent crisis at the football club, none of which is helpful.

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