At this point, Everton’s takeover has lost so much momentum that many would be forgiven for forgetting it was still ongoing.
Having agreed a deal with Farhad Moshiri back in September, we are now four months on and still have no indication as to whether the Premier League will accept the proposal.
777 Partners have done all they can to ensure that the Toffees are reliant on their money now, and should the plug be pulled, this historic outfit are set to be plunged into a state of immense disrepair.
That was the case, until recent reports emerged suggesting that they are shockingly not alone in their desire to acquire Everton.
For the bulk of their months-long journey to complete the takeover, there have been rumblings of alternative consortiums waiting in the shadows.
Well, writing for Josimar, journalists Philippe Auclair and Paul Brown have sought to confirm one US-based outfit who reportedly have the backing of a ‘prominent sporting figure with a strong knowledge of Everton’.
They claim: ‘Josimar understands that at least one other consortium of US-based investors is now readying a bid, in the expectation that 777 do not complete their takeover. ‘
How much have 777 Partners spent on Everton so far?
Whilst it is a near-impossible task to chalk up every injection that Josh Wander and co have provided to the club, there are a number of sources that have sought to detail such regular spending.
After all, Everton have been willing, and now reliant on accepting a number of loans just to ease the day-to-day running costs.
As such, the reported £550m figure needed to prise the club from Moshiri barely scratches the surface of the funds that have been invested to keep this process moving forward.
Journalists David Ornstein and Paddy Boyland, writing for The Athletic, sought to offer some scale to their investments, writing earlier this week: ‘Prospective Everton owner 777 Partners has provided the club with a fresh loan of $50million (£40m). The U.S. investment firm is still awaiting Premier League approval for its proposed takeover.
But the latest sum takes its total cash injection in the Merseyside club so far to a figure north of $180m (£142m) after providing a sizeable loan worth tens of millions in September.’
Given many sections of the fanbase remain unsure about 777 Partners, the news of a new bidder will likely excite many.
However, barring the Premier League’s rejection of their proposal, it seems they might not even get the chance to swoop in. This remains an ongoing story which could have huge ramifications for the future of Everton.
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