Everton Football Club is not for sale. That is the message of majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri, who has tonight issued an open letter to Blues supporters.
Moshiri has said work is ongoing to complete the financing of the Bramley Moore stadium development, adding: "It will always be pragmatic to explore all potential investment opportunities." This does extend, he has accepted publicly for the first time, to a potential search for minority investment.
But in his second major message to supporters this summer, he concluded: "I want to reassure all of you that Everton Football Club is not for sale."
READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Alex Iwobi reveals private Frank Lampard talks that inspired Everton transformation
READ MORE: Inside Everton's USA tour as Frank Lampard demands grow and Nathan Patterson fitness noted
Rumours of an American-backed takeover of Everton have swirled for weeks, with speculation Moshiri may be keen to sell his stake in Everton after six and a half years and more than half a billion pounds of spending on transfers. Instead, he has now re-iterated his commitment to the club - and urged supporters to be patient over summer transfer business.
In his statement, Moshiri wrote: "There has been much talk of investment in our football club recently – even takeovers – but I want to clarify that there is no ‘for sale’ sign currently hanging outside Everton Football Club.
"It will always be pragmatic to explore all potential investment opportunities and, as I have been transparent about, I am actively focused on completing the financing for our fantastic new stadium as well as strengthening the playing squad and that might include a search for minority investment. That will continue.
"But I want to reassure all of you that Everton Football Club is not for sale.
"My commitment to the club remains strong and focused and Kevin Thelwell and the chairman are currently working hard to bring in new players to improve Frank Lampard’s squad.
"There will be new signings and I would ask supporters to judge us at the end of the transfer window – not now – and to listen to official club channels for information.
"The fact that we are an open and collaborative football club which listens to our supporters was underlined last week when we added another famous first to our long list of historic milestones when the inaugural Everton Fan Advisory Board met.
"Our CEO Denise Barrett-Baxendale, along with Non-Executive Director Graeme Sharp and other senior club officials, welcomed the first fan-elected and independent advisory board of its kind in the top flight of English football to our Royal Liver Building headquarters.
"This occasion firmly underlines our ongoing commitment to engage with our supporters and, as we look to the 2022/23 season, we are committed to furthering that dialogue. Finally, I would like to thank you for your continued support."
READ NEXT:
-
Frank Lampard issues blunt message on Anthony Gordon future amid Everton transfer talk
-
Frank Lampard opens up on James Tarkowski transfer and instant Everton squad impact
-
'Star boy' - Everton pair comment on Anthony Gordon's bold new look and give squad fashion verdict
-
Everton 'learn price' for Amadou Onana as rivals 'prepare bid' for target
-
Everton offers can end transfer speculation on three players after Anthony Gordon gesture
