Everton’s summer transfer plans have been hindered by a ‘MASSIVE’ Financial Fair Play cloud, Mail Sport’s Sami Mokbel reveals on the It’s All Kicking Off podcast

Everton‘s summer transfer plans have been affected by a significant Financial Fair Play headache lingering over the club, Mail Sport‘s Sami Mokbel has revealed.

With his side currently sitting joint-bottom of the Premier League, boss Sean Dyche has been keen to strengthen his squad ahead of deadline day this week.

They have been slow to splash the cash, however, with forward Beto arriving from Udinese for £25million and a host of cut-price additions rounding off their business to date. And now, it has emerged exactly why the purse strings have been so tight.

The club allegedly broke the Premier League’s strict financial rules last season and were referred to an independent commission, with a hearing set for October.

Last year, Burnley and Leeds had questioned whether Everton had broken the rules after they recorded staggering losses of £371.8m over the past three years.

Owner Farhard Moshiri (left) is on the hunt for a fresh injection of funds into the struggling club

Everton’s summer of transfer problems was discussed on the It’s All Kicking Off transfer deadline special

Mokbel, Mail Sport‘s Chief Football Reporter, has lifted the lid on the extent of the club’s spending headache during the It’s All Kicking Off live transfer show.

‘With Everton, supporters have been really frustrated over the summer due to the lack of business they’ve been doing in terms of incomings,’ he said.

‘My understanding of that situation, speaking to various people inside the game, is that Everton have shown a lot of interest in players – certainly forward players.

‘They tried to sign Che Adams but that looks to have fallen by the wayside. 

‘My understanding of that is the way they are having to structure the deals, to navigate through this season’s FFP regulations, meaning that a lot of the money, the bulk of the money that they would have to pay the selling club for said player, has been moved on to pay for next season.

‘At the moment they just can’t afford the outlay. I don’t know the inner machinations of the Beto deal, from my understanding the way that deal would have been structured also would be a large chunk of that money being paid further down the line and kicking the can down the road. 

Mail Sport’s Sami Mokbel (left) has described Everton’s financial woes as a ‘massive cloud’

Reports claimed tax issues surrounding loans for the new stadium contributed to a FFP breach

‘That has been part of the problem and a major part of the problem as to why they’ve struggled to get deals over the line, because they’ve got this massive cloud of FFP hanging over them.

‘We know about the financial situation at Goodison Park and that they’re looking for investment but that hasn’t happened. 

‘Supporters should look at that situation and yes, there will be a frustration, but hopefully that adds a bit of context to why they have struggled to get these deals over the line.’

Indeed, Everton remain keen to bring in fresh investment to ease the pressure on their coffers, with US firm 777 Partners locked in talks with owner Farhad Moshiri. MSP Sports Capital previously withdrew from negotiations over a £150m injection. 

Everton have denied any wrongdoing and vowed to robustly defend themselves.

The FFP charge is thought to relate to a tax issue surrounding loans for the new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock, according to The Times.