- Everton’s prospective buyers 777Partners have loaned Everton over £100m
- The group have made it clear they will not fund the club after the New Year
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The Premier League have indicated to Everton’s prospective buyers 777Partners that there their takeover will not be approved before the end of the year raising fears that the club may enter administration next month.
The American private equity firm have loaned Everton over £100million for operating costs since agreeing a deal to buy the club from Farhad Moshiri in September, but have made clear they are not prepared to keep funding them after the New Year.
777 have based their loans on the proviso that a decision would be reached before Christmas, but Mail Sport has been told that the Premier League are still some way from completing due diligence on their proposed takeover.
The complexity of 777’s finances and corporate structure, with over 60 companies involved in diverse industries including insurance, aviation and sport under their control, is understood to be proving challenging for the Premier League to assess.
The Premier League’s main concern is establishing the source and sufficiency of 777’s funds, although they are also examining numerous legal cases involving related companies in the United States.
Everton could be forced into administration next month as their takeover process continues
777’s partners, led by Josh Wander, had hoped a decision would be reached by Christmas
The group have been funding Everton since agreeing a takeover with Farhad Moshiri, right
777 claim to control £6billion worth of investment funds and are planning to use their own assets to buy Everton rather than rely on borrowing.
With Moshiri having stopped funding the club Everton require an additional £20m on top of their fixed income each month to pay staff wages and meet other operating costs, which 777 have been providing since August.
Without 777’s funding the club would be trading insolvent and face being put into administration, which would incur a further nine-point penalty from the Premier League in addition to the 10 points they have already been docked for breaching spending rules.
The Premier League would be loathe to take action that could plunge Everton into administration, but are equally unwilling to be pressured into a hasty resolution of a complex issue.
Everton sources insist they remain hopeful the takeover will go through and that they are working closely with both 777 and the Premier League, who declined to comment.
777 said they have not received formal notification from the Premier League of their timeline for making a decision.
Everton would face a potential nine-point deduction if they are forced into administration
