Sport
Leeds United action and Gnonto interest over potential investors
Leeds United action and Gnonto interest over potential investors
Everton have received a huge financial kick in the teeth after seeing potential investors end their interest in the club. The Toffees had seen New York-based investment company MSP Sports Capital sign an exclusivity agreement ahead of potentially buying a minority stake at the club.
However, those talks have come to end without a deal as per The Athletic, and with £100million of the proposed £150m investment going towards the construction of Everton’s new stadium, it comes as a huge blow for the club and majority owner Farhad Moshiri, who has become an unpopular figure at Goodison Park. The news leaves the club with huge uncertainty surrounding investment and finances, which might have a knock-on effect when it comes to their hopes of making additions over the final week of the summer transfer window.
Everton have reportedly made a number of approaches for Leeds United’s Wilfried Gnonto this summer, with the winger handing in a transfer request last week in an attempt to push through a deal. None of those bids have been accepted, though, and with hopes of a move to Merseyside seemingly fading, Gnonto has been allowed to re-join first-team training under Daniel Farke at Thorp Arch.
The Premier League outfit have taken Jack Harrison from Leeds this month, though, bagging the winger on a loan deal for the season ahead of a potential permanent move. The news of Everton’s takeover blow comes as the club edge closer to their hearing over an alleged breach of financial fair play rules.
The club have strongly denied any wrongdoing, but they will go before an independent commission on October 25 due to their spending from the 2021-22 season and earlier this year, Leeds were said to be one of three other teams to be considering legal action.
The Whites survived relegation, alongside Everton, that season, but they were relegated last time around as Sean Dyche’s side secured their Premier League status on the final day. Burnley were relegated in May 2022 and they are joined by Southampton and Leicester City, who followed Leeds down the Championship, as clubs considering action against Everton.
If Everton are found to have broken rules in relation to their considerable losses, Everton could be hit with a fine or points deduction, before compensation claims for the four relegated clubs are considered.
