Everton have, and currently still are, enduring one of the most protracted takeovers in English football history.
Having agreed a deal with Farhad Moshiri back in September, 777 Partners are yet to hear back from the Premier League regarding their fitness to finally own such a prestigious club.
However, whilst the division might argue that they are trying their best to be completely diligent in their assessment, all they have done is add to the unrest at the club.
Nobody has a clue what is going on, and nearly eight months since it was first announced, we feel no closer to a conclusion.
David Ornstein notes the numerous causes for concern.
David Ornstein on 777 Partners’ Everton takeover
Speaking to NBC Sports, just after he had offered an update on Everton’s PSR drama and the prospect of a third deduction, Ornstein would turn his attention to the takeover.
And whilst he suggested that he had no update, he still provided some key pieces of information, as well as issuing one claim which might worry Evertonians.
The Athletic journalist claimed: ‘Also no update on Everton’s takeover. 777 partners agreed this in September, seven-plus months on and we still have no outcome.
‘They’ll hope to get there soon but they’ve got conditional approval from the Premier League but the conditions are the key thing here. They need to repay loans, they need to show they’ve got money to complete the build of the new stadium, they need to promise to turn their loans of almost £200m now into equity.
‘If they satisfy the Premier League on that then this takeover will go through and they’re confident it will. If they don’t, then where will Everton turn next?
‘And that’s why this is such a worrying, concerning time for the club both on the pitch but also off it as well. And they’ll be desperate in these days ahead to receive some form of clarity.’
Today is a big day in Everton’s takeover timeline
Well, as noted yesterday, today is supposed to finally be the day when 777 Partners and MSP sit down and hash out their differences regarding the latter’s loan payment to the former.
One report referenced a ‘crunch meeting’, in which Andy Bell and George Downing are expected to deny the Miami-based firm an extension to their loan repayment.
However, that does little that would solve the outstanding issues at the club.
After all, we still remain unsure of whether MSP plans to convert those loans into equity and take over themselves, or if they will lobby to take a chunk of the new stadium as part of the deal.
Regardless, today feels like a really important moment in the grand scheme of this takeover.