Everton takeover agreement expected within days of new bid delivered to Farhad Moshiri.

On Saturday, June 8, the outlet reported via their website that the pair of Toffees supporters, who have already loaned around £50 million of their personal roughly £900 million fortune to the club, had submitted a formal seven-figure offer to the majority shareholder, and are “hopeful” it will be successful as early as next week.

Michael Dell, the American software billionaire worth an estimated £78 billion, is behind Bell and Downing’s offer, with his private investment vehicle reported to be providing financial support rather than driving the campaign.

The two Evertonians apparently believe that profit and sustainability criteria are now benefiting fan-owned clubs since the laws, which saw the club penalized with two points penalties last season for a pair of violations, “encourage clubs to grow revenues rather than rely on rich owners”.

Michael Dell backs Andy Bell and George Downing’s Everton takeover proposal
There are certain to be a number of Bell and Downing’s Everton teammates who hope the pair gets the green light soon.

MSP Sports Capital, Roma chief Dan Friedkin, and major backer of 777 Partner’s failed bid A-Cap are all in the race [BBC Sport, 8 June], but part owner of Crystal Palace John Textor has withdrawn completely [Bloomberg, 7 June], confirming to Goodison News that he was never a frontrunner.

Moshiri thus has a responsibility to the club to make the most prudent decision for the future rather than the sentimental one, while Dell’s financial might appears to bolster the Bell-Downing deal.

However, considering that he remained committed to Josh Wander and company’s offer from mid-September until the end of May despite rising red signals, there may not be overwhelming confidence in his ability to do so.

At the very least, developments are now moving at a far faster pace, with numerous potential buyers emerging who, for the most part, appear much more plausible than 777.

There is now some hope that the ownership uncertainty that has surrounded Everton for well over a year will be resolved in time for the start of next season, albeit there are still other barriers to overcome even if a new exclusivity deal is negotiated.