Yalla Shoot :Everton investment: Toffees reach exclusivity agreement with MSP Sports Capital
Everton have reached an exclusivity agreement with New York-based company MSP Sports Capital for investment in the club, BBC Sport understands.
Sources have said the deal is not yet done, but talks are progressing over future funding.
MSP look to have jumped ahead of 777 Partners, who have been in talks over a takeover from owner Farhad Moshiri.
Everton are currently two points above the Premier League’s relegation zone with one game remaining this season.
However, the Toffees will drop into the bottom three if Leicester win at Newcastle on Monday (20:00 BST).
MSP are believed to be looking for a 25% stake with a preferential share structure, not equity in the club, so would be paid back in interest.
777 have had access to the ‘data room’ (financial accounts), but have not been prepared to pay a ‘significant’ price as they have looked at the debt on the balance sheet – which stood at £141.7m in the latest accounts.
In February, Moshiri told the fans’ advisory board the club was “not for sale” but he had been talking to “top investors of real quality”.
The club requires funding for their new stadium, which is being built on Bramley Moore Dock, after costs increased from £500m originally to about £760m.
British-Iranian business Moshiri has invested over £750m of his own money since 2016, but some supporters are deeply unhappy about his ownership of the club.
Everton fans have held protests before some home games this season and have called for Moshiri and the board to leave the club.
More to follow.
