Who are the American investment firm buying Everton and who else do they own? Full takeover from Farhad Moshiri close

Everton’s much-maligned owners are reportedly close to agreeing a deal to sell the club to US private investment firm 777 Partners.

Toffees majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri is an unpopular figure on Merseyside with the club continually flirting with relegation in recent years.

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Everton are close to completing a saleCredit: Getty

The British-Iranian billionaire has invested more than £750m since 2016 but poor signings and failing managerial appointments has seen Everton go backwards.

His ownership led to several protests before games at Goodison Park last season calling for his removal.

Moshiri publicly denied that he put Everton up for sale in January, but he is now thought to be close to relinquishing control.

According to Bloomberg, Moshiri is close to an agreement with 777 Partners over a full takeover of Everton following months of talks.

But who are the Miami-based firm and would this be their first foray into football? talkSPORT.com takes a look…

Who are 777 Partners and who else do they own?

777 Partners is an American private investment company that aim to provide growth capital for the businesses that they pump money in.

Founded in 2015, 777 have a varied portfolio of investments that include sports, insurance, entertainment and aviation among others.

The firm, who are worth around £8billion, already have stakes in seven other football clubs – the most notable being Sevilla in Spain.

Serie A’s Genoa, Belgium side Standard Liege, French team Red Star, CR Vasco da Gama in Brazil, Bundesliga outfit Hertha Berlin and Melbourne Victory in Australia are also on their books.

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Josh Wander is the co-founder of 777 PartnersCredit: AFP

777 co-founder Josh Wander told L’Equipe in September 2022: “777 Partners is a company based in Miami, we are a holding – I insist – we are not an investment fund.

“We have six main areas we work in: insurance, aviation, sport, media, and entertainment. We support many companies around the planet but not to investment funds – I am in charge of the business and there are no other external investors.

“What is important in our eyes is not to build a club which generates profit just for the sake of profit.

“We want clubs that are capable of living and developing over a number of decades.”

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Everton are winless in the new Premier League seasonCredit: Getty

777 have come under scrutiny, however, with many of the clubs under their ownership struggling since their takeovers.

Standard Liege fans recently held up banners criticising the firm’s involvement during the club’s 1-1 draw with RWD Molenbeek.

The Mail have reported that the government have expressed concerns about 777 Partners, who have ongoing involvement in several court cases in the US.

777 manager Wander will also be subject to the Premier League’s owners’ and directors’ test, having been arrested in 2003 for cocaine trafficking when he was a student at the University of Florida.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Wander said: “It was a stupid college thing.

“So all of the success that I’ve had has been in spite of the fact that every time I’ve tried to do something, somebody brings that up and throws it in my face.

“And when I got involved in investing in sports, it became a perfect opportunity for those people that are haters to try to destroy you with things that are somewhat meaningless.”

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Everton fans have had enough of majority shareholder MoshiriCredit: AFP

talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan has claimed that he expects Everton to be sold for more than the £350million purchase of Newcastle in 2021.

The White and Jordan host said on talkSPORT in January: “This football club has been for sale for a year, probably longer.

“So it is for sale, there is no two ways about it.

“Newcastle went for £350m and Everton is a bigger football club than Newcastle.”

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