Everton are reportedly poised to announce a £200million takeover by Middle East investors in the coming days, reports the Mirror.
The Toffees are believed to be closing in on the sale of the club to a mystery group from an Arab state and details could be announced before Tuesday’s away game at Aston Villa.
According to the Daily Mail , an announcement on the club’s future is ‘imminent’.
There was initially strong interest in a takeover from an American group with the former owner of the San Diego Padres baseball team, John Jay Moores, and fellow entrepreneur Charles Noell leading discussions with Everton owner Bill Kenwright.
Prior to Christmas, talks were believed to have entered an advanced stage as the pair examined Everton’s finances.
But Kenwright is now believed to have received a solid offer from a Middle Eastern group.
It would bring to an end a decade-long search for a new owner for the club.
Earlier this month, manager Roberto Martinez insisted that he would like to see Kenwright stay on at the club as chairman even if the ownership changes.
He said: “I’ve always said what the chairman is for Everton and I wouldn’t want Bill Kenwright to lose his association with Everton, ever.
“I think it would be a loss if we do that.
“Whatever the investment or whatever the situation is in the future, in 10 or 15 years I would love to see Everton benefit from our chairman for the rest of his life.”
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