The Peter Kenyon-led US consortium that wishes to purchase Everton maintain that dialogue over the bid is continuing.
On Friday sources close to Everton owner Farhad Moshiri claimed that talks over the sale of the club to the consortium that included US real estate tycoon Maciek Kaminski and mining and investment magnate John Thornton were "dead" after the period of exclusivity between the two parties ended with no agreement over an extension.
While the line emanating from those close to the club was one of the deal no longer something that was being actively pursued by Moshiri, the sources close to the Kaminski bid told the ECHO that they were still in talks and were aiming to get an extension to the exclusivity period, a period where they were carrying out due diligence on the club ahead of any sale and where Moshiri was unable to engage with any other would-be bidders.
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The Kaminski group claimed that they remained "the only show in town" and that there were no other serious bidders in the mix for the club and that despite claims to the contrary, were still talking to Moshiri about finding a way forward.
The past weekend has been the Independence Day celebrations in the US, a federal holiday, but the ECHO has been told that, as of Monday morning, further conversations have been had since Friday, something that remains ongoing.
There has, however, been no extension of the exclusivity period and Moshiri, who has been said to be keen to focus his attention now on finding investment for the stadium as opposed to seeking a full sale of the club, is free to speak to any other interested parties.
The Kaminski group had been hoping to tie up a deal for the club, which they claimed would be all equity and no debt, by July 21. Everton are due to play in Minneapolis, the home city of the Kaminski's, on July 20 as part of their US pre-season tour.
Other consortiums during the past few weeks are reported to have had some talks with Moshiri, although it was only the Kaminski group that firmed up their interest and moved things along. Now, with the floor open once more for the club to speak to others, potential bidders could now come forward having remained in the background until now.
A recent example of how things can move on swiftly is that of AC Milan. Former owners of the Rossoneri had been in talks with a Bahraini investment fund, Investcorp, from early in the year and entered into a period of exclusivity. There was expectation that deal would happen, but when the exclusivity period between those two parties ended there was interest from another, RedBird Capital Partners, who ended up concluding a deal within three weeks.
Despite the challenges that the club face financially, having to be tread carefully due to profit and sustainability rules due to three consecutive loss-making years totalling over £370m, Premier League teams are desirable at present, particularly to US investors.
The boom in TV rights, especially overseas and in places like the US, gives cost certainty, while the scarcity value of the clubs means that they are valuable assets. A new stadium for Everton and the potential for new revenue streams, including the legalisation of the betting market in America's major markets, are also plus points for would-be owners.
One US investor, who owns a European top tier side, told the ECHO earlier this month that Everton were one of the teams seen as a "relegation proof."
"(Last season) was the closest they have been to relegation, that was their bad season and they are still there," he said.
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