Minority investment at Everton?

A story in The Guardian claimed Farhad Moshiri is willing to sell Everton for £500million ($620m) and has instructed Deloitte’s sports business arm to handle the process: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jan/24/everton-for-sale-farhad-moshiri-asking-price-more-than-500m

Around 20 minutes later, the club released an interview with Moshiri in conversation with fan advisory board (FAB) chair Jazz Bal, recorded before Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to West Ham United, in which he insisted he does not want to sell.

“The club is not for sale but I’ve been talking to top investors, real quality, to bridge a gap on the stadium finance,” Moshiri said. “I can do it (finance the new stadium) myself but the reason I want to do it is to bring top sport investors into Everton — for some of the reasons the fans want: improvement, more talent.

“I’m committed to this club, not just the stadium, but to join the elite. We are close to having a deal done. We are very close to stadium financing and I hope to be able to announce that to you soon. It’s not selling the club at all.”

It was revealed in June that Moshiri entered into discussions with US consortium KAM Sports, helmed by Minneapolis-based property developer Maciek Kaminski, last year with a view to securing stadium funding but those talks developed into a full-blown takeover proposal. The group is believed to have valued Everton at around £500million.

Moshiri himself lost faith in the group’s ability to complete a takeover and talks ended abruptly. There has been little prospect of a deal being resuscitated. Last month, KAM Sports completed a takeover of Greek top-tier side Panetolikos.

The frontrunner fot equity investment is a group that already has holdings at other football clubs, and a significant holding in a different sport. Should the deal get over the line, the group wants a representative with a seat on Everton’s board.

A consortium based in the north west of England has contacted Moshiri to register interest in a smaller investment and another US-based group of wealthy individuals, including Everton supporters, are also considering an offer.