June 10 – With the drawn-out acquisition of Everton by 777 Partners now firmly dead in the water, new suitors are gathering at Goodison’s gates, most of them with US money.
New York-based MSP Sports Capital currently looks to be in the lead position to buy the club.
MSP were already in talks with Everton owner Farhad Moshiri (who owns 94% of the club) over the final funding required to complete the new stadium build at Bramley-Moore Dock.
The Liverpool Echo says that MSP have offered £100 million for a 25% stake with an option to buy more equity going forward.
That deal values the club at £400 million, significantly less than the £550 million 777 were going to pay and a recent Forbes valuation of just under £600 million.
A factor in any deal for the club is the debt that it is carrying.
Advantage Capital Holdings, another US-based investment firm, has offered to refinance all of Everton’s existing debt in return for a non-controlling equity stake.
Advantage Capital is a major lender to 777 Partners, who in turn loaned Everton $200 million before their business imploded.
“The proposal put forth is in the best interests of all stakeholders and the Everton fans,” an Advantage Capital spokesperson said in a statement issued to Bloomberg.
“This plan provides the quickest and cleanest path to finishing the stadium and sustainably funding the club’s operations. The plan is designed to stabilise Everton and advance the overall success of the club in the coming years.”
Meanwhile Roma owner Dan Friedkin, an American businessman with a net worth of £4.8 billion is aiming for an exclusivity agreement to purchase current owner Farhad Moshiri’s 94% stake in the club.
John Textor, whose multi-club ownership group Eagle Holdings hold 45% of Crystal Palace, said he is interested in the club, but would first have to sell his Palace stake. That is unlikely to happen in time to keep him in the race for Everton.
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