The Athletic reports that Everton will not be directly purchased by American billionaire Michael Dell to prevent any conflict of interest with his involvement in other English football ventures.
The businessman’s investment firm MSD Partners has a track record of providing financial support to English football clubs, including Burnley, Derby, Southampton, Swansea City, West Brom, and West Ham. Acquiring Everton would limit Dell’s ability to continue these investments.
Instead of directly purchasing the club, Dell is reportedly backing the £350 million bid led by Andy Bell and George Downing, as per i News. If Bell and Downing’s bid succeeds in wresting Everton from Farhad Moshiri’s ownership, Dell’s support may have been a crucial factor in tipping the scales in their favor.
Bell and Downing have been engaged in takeover discussions at Goodison Park for some time, having been associated with another US-based group, MSP Sports Capital, which lent the club £158 million last year, according to Alan Nixon.
With Dell’s backing, they stand a better chance of facilitating a smooth ownership transition, something 777 Partners, Moshiri’s previously preferred buyers, appeared incapable of achieving.
Bell and Downing, like 777, have a positive relationship with the Iranian owner, as reported by the Daily Mail. While completing a full takeover remains a work in progress, having two lifelong Everton supporters at the helm is increasingly seen as the ideal outcome for the club.