Everton enter exclusivity agreement with MSP Sports Capital and close in on fresh investment

Everton have entered an exclusivity agreement with American firm MSP Sports Capital as they look to secure an injection of new investment.

It is understood that, while a deal over funding is yet to be concluded, talks between New York-based MSP and the Toffees – who had also been speaking to 777 Partners – are progressing well.

Seventeenth in the table after the weekend’s action, Everton play Bournemouth at Goodison Park next Sunday as the battle for Premier League survival goes down to the final game of the season for Sean Dyche‘s men.

The Merseyside outfit’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock is currently under construction at a cost of £760million.

Figures from MSP were present at Goodison when Everton lost 2-1 to Southampton in January.

Everton have entered an exclusivity agreement with MSP Sports Capital over fresh investment

Owner Farhad Moshiri (above) has been locked in talks with investors for a number of months

777 Partners (above: Josh Wander, one of the firm’s managing partners) have been overtaken

MSP and 777 Partners, another American company, were then understood to be parties being spoken to after Everton owner Farhad Moshiri in February said he was in talks with ‘top investors of real quality to bridge a gap on the stadium’.

As exclusively reported by Mail Sport last week, the battle for a sizeable portion of the club’s ownership took a dramatic turn after MSP grew in confidence over a deal.

Initially, 777 Partners were leading the race, although the complexion changed over the course of just 48 hours, with their £600m offer unlikely to be successful. 

Indeed, insiders disclosed that MSP felt able to steal in and wrap up an agreement. 

In an added bonus for the struggling club, MSP will guarantee their purchase even in the event Everton are relegated, whereas 777 are believed to have wanted guarantees of Dyche’s side avoiding a costly drop into the Championship. 

The structure of a potential deal is expected to free up much-needed funds to be spent on infrastructure and improving the squad during the summer window.

MSP also hold stakes in several others clubs dotted around Europe, including Brondy in Denmark, Spain’s AD Alcorcon and G.D Estoril Praia in Portugal. 

MSP’s rival bidders are said to have sought assurances that the club would avoid relegation

Supporters have angrily protested this season against Moshiri’s divisive running of the club

Everton are just two points above the Premier League’s bottom three ahead of the final day

Earlier this year, MSP were linked with a move for Tottenham. Sources close to the process, however, insist the firm’s focus has been on Everton for the long term.

British-Iranian businessman Moshiri has invested over £750m of his own money since 2016, but supporters have taken exception to his ownership of the club. 

Some have even held vocal protests before a number of home games this season to demand Moshiri and other board members to stay away from their roles.

Currently, Everton are just two points above the relegation zone.