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A consortium led by London-based businessman Vache Manukyan has reportedly entered the race to buy Everton after failure of proposed takeover by 777 Partners.
Manoukian, a partner at technology investment firm IMS Digital Ventures, has made a £400m offer to buy the club alongside US and Gulf investors, according to Athletic. The interest in Everton from many countries comes after the exclusivity period between the club’s owner, Farhad Moshiri, and 777 Partners, a US investment group, expired on June 1, with Everton subsequently announcing that it would “evaluate all options for future ownership”.
Others who have emerged as potential owners include Everton supporters Andy Bell and George Downing, who previously loaned the club £158m in partnership with MSP Sports Capital, which is also reported to have launched a separate bid. John Textor has publicly declared a willingness to sell his 45% stake in Crystal Palace to open up the opportunity to invest in Evertonwhile Roma’s American owner, Dan Friedkin, has also been linked with buying the club.
According to the IMS Digital Ventures website, Manoukian began his career in the UK as a solicitor “before moving to the US to help a private family office build, grow and manage one of the largest and most successful gaming and entertainment companies in the world”. .
777 Partners’ attempt to take control of Everton was beset by problems after agreeing a deal for Moshiri last September, with the firm struggling to meet Premier League conditions to complete the acquisition.
Sean Dyche, the Everton manager, expressed concern last month on what kind of transfer business the club could do this summer without new owners and given the potential risk of going into administration. “If [777] a takeover doesn’t happen, or a takeover, then it’s likely to be juggling dust, not sand,” he said. “If someone leaves, how do you attract the next one who is as good as the one who is leaving?”
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