Everton can talk to new buyers with 777 Partners set to miss

American investment firm expected to miss 31 May deadlineMajority owner Moshiri can then talk to new potential buyers

Everton’s prospective owner, 777 Partners, is expected to miss its latest deadline to buy the club, enabling Farhad Moshiri to commence talks with any other parties interested in his majority shareholding.

This month, Moshiri extended a share purchase agreement (SPA) with 777 to 31 May despite the Miami-based investment firm’s well-documented financial and legal challenges and inability to satisfy the Premier League’s conditions for a takeover after eight months. The SPA is expected to expire at midnight east-coast time in the US (5am BST) without 777 paying off a loan of £158m to MSP Sports Capital and two Merseyside businessmen, George Downing and Andy Bell, leaving Moshiri free to explore other investment options in the financially troubled club.