Everton enter exclusivity agreement with MSP Sports Capital over investment

Everton and United States investment group MSP Sports Capital have entered an exclusivity agreement over investment, reports the PA news agency (via Yahoo Sport).

Toffees majority owner Farhad Moshiri wants equity investment to boost the construction of the club’s new stadium.

He is also keen to bring in outside expertise, with the stadium currently under construction at a cost of £760 million.

A deal over funding with MSP is yet to be concluded, but talks are progressing well and both parties are optimistic.

Everton had been in talks with 777 Partners, but MSP have edged them in securing investment in the Merseyside club.

MSP chairman Jahm Najafi was at Goodison Park in February to watch Everton against Southampton.

He was shown around key club sites by the Toffees officials and is now keen on doing business.

A deal is expected to lead to significant change at the boardroom level.

However, the club’s Premier League status at the end of the season will not affect the deal.

Everton are 17th in the table ahead of the final matchday on Sunday.

They will need to beat Bournemouth to not rely on the results of Leeds United or Leicester City to guarantee safety.

Relegation will have a negative impact on the club’s finances, but investment from MSP will cushion it.

Everton’s new stadium is unlikely to be ready in mid-2024 as planned, with the club three months behind schedule.

The £760m budget is expected to increase if, as expected, they do not finish on schedule.

However, Moshiri has nothing to fear once external funding from MSP is secured.