With each passing week, there seems to be a fresh turn in the unrelenting and unpredictable Everton takeover race.
Throughout the entire 2023/24 Premier League campaign, 777 Partners’ protracted efforts to acquire the club were constantly foiled, but never completely shut down.
Well, following the 31st of May, their exclusivity agreement ended, and the floodgates have since opened.
John Textor, Saudi-backed consortiums and rich Evertonians have all lined up to compete for Farhad Moshiri’s stake, and now Paul Quinn has offered his verdict on the latter in particular.
The Esk gives his verdict on Everton takeover
Voicing his thoughts in his latest blog, where he combs over Everton’s takeover turmoil, the finance guru and writer promised to be critical in his assessment of the outstanding bidder in this saga.
Andy Bell and George Downing, as a couple of Evertonians, have instantly drawn acclaim from the wider fanbase due to their ties to the area and clear devotion to the club.
However, ever the cynic, Quinn, better known as The Esk on X, wrote: ‘I’ve been asked to provide views on the potential purchase of Everton by two local businessmen Andy Bell and George Downing. Applying the same levels of scrutiny to their businesses and business ethics compared to say 777 Partners (Moshiri’s previous choice) is relatively easy.
‘Both Bell and Downing have exemplary business records, built on integrity, hard work, professionalism and expertise in their chosen fields. They are by any standards, fit and proper. No-one should have any doubt with regards to that. Comparisons with previous Blue owners don’t warrant much attention neither. For every Kenwright there’s a John Moores.’
Everton need an owner with a strict business model
Whether it be a multi-billionaire with an endless pile of money or an intelligent businessman with a more modest budget, Everton’s new owners need to have a strict business model.
After all, regardless of how rich the new owner is, they alone cannot pull the Toffees out of their PSR nightmare.
What they need is intelligence and a long-term plan to promote sustainability and in turn stability, that would ensure that the club never suffers another season like the last, laden with two separate points deductions.
Major sales from the playing staff might be needed, just this window, but that cannot be a trend. Sean Dyche simply cannot operate in a system where his prized and most important assets are forcibly offloaded just to keep the club alive.
He needs to be given a stable foundation to build from, because he is the perfect man to steer this sinking ship through troubled waters. Hopefully, the new owner can match the stability he offers.