Everton are the subject of a £200 million takeover bid after advanced talks with the former owner of the San Diego Padres baseball team.
A consortium of investors including entrepreneurs John Jay Moores and Charles Noell has been in discussions with the Goodison board for the past few months.
Now there is genuine hope at the Merseyside club that the prolonged pursuit for investment is coming to an end.
Everton are set to follow in the footsteps of Liverpool and acquire American owners Photo: GETTY IMAGES
Everton remain cautious about the eventual outcome while the US investors consider their options during a period of exclusivity but this is considered the most positive development yet since chairman Bill Kenwright said he was willing to sell his stake.
Moores, 70, and Noell have previously shown an interest in Swansea City, but with those talks breaking down, the attention has shifted to Goodison Park, where Kenwright has been desperate to find the right investor to propel his club’s long-term ambitions. Everton have been seeking outside investment for 10 years and suggested earlier this season they were considering numerous expressions of interest.
Everton are in need of the funds to subsidise ambitious stadium plans, as well as sustain the annual squad building under manager Roberto Martínez.
Roberto Martínez, the Everton manager, is looking to strenghthen his squad
Supporters have felt let down by the promise of investment in the past, which is why there is sure to be restraint from all sides as the negotiations continue. There is no guarantee of a deal, but the enthusiasm from within Goodison distinguishes this development from previous false dawns.
Kenwright has always maintained he would only sell his stake to a buyer who grasped the ethos of the club, and it is likely any deal will ensure he retains some interest – the suggestion being that he would take up an honorary role.
If the takeover were to succeed, both Merseyside clubs would be under American ownership. Indeed, Moores bought the San Diego Padres from Liverpool chairman Tom Werner. He is thought to be worth around $730 million (£492 million).
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The move follows Crystal Palace’s decision to sell a 36 per cent stake to Joshua Harris and David Blitzer, the former owner of the Philadelphia 76ers.
With the mammoth TV rights deal kicking in next summer, Premier League clubs remain an attractive proposition to overseas investors, especially in the United States.
Everton’s major problem has been the scale of the investment required to solve the long-standing stadium issue. A move from or an upgrade of Goodison Park is essential, and buyers have tended to look at clubs with an infrastructure already in place.
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