Everton may have something of a secret weapon when it comes avoiding another financial fair play breach – and ongoing takeover talks could be key.
Farhad Moshiri struck an agreement to sell his 94 per cent stake in the club to 777 Partners all the way back in September 2023.
But the Premier League has refused to ratify the deal as, with 777 Partners’ football empire crumbling around the globe, they were unable to prove they could finance Everton.
Now, Moshiri has turned his attention elsewhere.
A number of different parties are in the running, with the British-Iranian billionaire expected to announce which one he wishes to proceed with in due course.
Top of the agenda for any income owner is compliance with Profit and Sustainability Rules, or PSR (formerly financial fair play, or FFP).
And one investor in particular could be particularly useful in this domain.
Vatche Manoukian could help Everton navigate FFP
As reported by The Athletic on 8 June, London-headquartered entrepreneur Vatche Manoukian is leading a consortium of investors that has tabled a £400m all-equity bid for Everton.
As well as money from Australia and the United States, the consortium also encompasses an as yet unnamed Saudi prince.
Even though the Saudi Royal Family comprises over 15,000 members, this detail ignited talk of an oil-rich new regime among Everton supporters.
But it could be Manoukian’s legal background that ultimately is one of the most attractive aspects of the would-be takeover.
Manoukian is a law graduate from University College London and has worked as a project finance lawyer in both the UK and the US.
This experience could prove invaluable in helping Everton navigate the intricacies of the Premier League’s FFP rules, as well as the legalities surrounding the development of the Bramley Moore Dock stadium.
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How many investors want to take over Everton?
In total, there have been nine parties linked with an Everton takeover, although some only in passing while others have withdrawn from the race.
Besides Manoukian, the most likely are MSP Sports Capital, who previously attempted to buy the club and have lent them over £160m, and a group led by local businessmen Andy Bell and George Downing.
Elsewhere, a group backed by US billionaire Michael Dell has been linked, as have 777 financiers A-Cap.
An unnamed Qatari group, thought by some to be the Qatar Investment Authority who failed to buy Man United last year, is also believed to have been contacted.
Dan Friedkin and John Textor, investors in Roma and Crystal Palace respectively, have also been reliably linked, although the likelihood of either getting a deal over the line now appears to be low.