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Donald Trump associate ‘seriously’ exploring Everton takeover
A former associate of former United States president Donald Trump is “seriously consider” an Everton takeover.
Like Trump’s election campaign, Everton‘s protracted takeover saga has had umpteen twists and turns.
British-Iranian businessman Farhad Moshiri, whose time at the club has been characterised by abysmal cost control, has been attempting to sell Everton for well over a year.
Dan Friedkin’s decision not to pursue a takeover was the third time Moshiri has entered exclusive talks with a party only to fail to reach an agreement.
Previously, Miami-based investment group 777 Partners and Peter Kenyon signed heads of terms with Moshiri.
Friedkin’s abandonment of the deal has, however, prompted several groups to re-enter the fray having previously been passed over by Moshiri.
What’s more, a handful of new names are also in the mix, including one with a particularly interesting backstory.
- READ MORE EVERTON NEWS: Fabrizio Romano says Everton have spoken to the agents of £20m Manchester City player
Kevin Malone exploring Everton takeover
Multi-sports investment is a growing trend in the Premier League, especially among the division’s American owners.
Chelsea’s Todd Boehly, Liverpool’s FSG, and Arsenal’s Stan Kroenke all own Major League Baseball franchises in the US, for example.
And now Everton could potentially become the latest club to have a strong link to the sport.
As reported by , former Montreal Expos and LA Dodgers general manager Kevin Malone is leading a group interested in an Everton takeover.
Malone, a former minor league baseball player himself, is leading a group of investors who have already seen a £300m bid for Everton rejected before Friedkin secured exclusivity.
As quoted by GiveMeSport, Malone said: “All I can say at this time, is that our investor group is seriously evaluating the Everton opportunity.”
Malone was forced to resign from his position with the LA Dodgers in 2001 after getting into a public row with a fan.
At the time, then-Dodgers chairman Bob Daly admitted: “He does have a tendency to put his foot in his mouth. I’m disappointed that these things keep happening.”
As reported by the in 2022, Malone has since dedicated much of his time to good causes.
In 2019, the LA-based investor was appointed by former President Trump to lead a task force to oversee improvements to anti-trafficking programmes and policies at the federal level in the US.
He has subsequently become highly respected in the field and a passionate speaker on the topic.
TBR Analysis: How will latest Everton news affect Habib Diarra transfer pursuit?
While the drama continues behind the scenes, manager Sean Dyche and sporting director Kevin Thelwell have a football team to run.
Speaking exclusive to TBR, football finance expert Kieran Maguire suggested that Everton will have already set their budget for the summer regardless of how the takeover situation unfolds.
The club are not currently under pressure to sell players to meet Profit and Sustainability Rules, with Everton driving a hard bargain with Man United over Jarrad Branthwaite.
While it is unlikely to be an extravagant transfer window, the club also appear to be prepared to spend money despite the takeover uncertainty.
Everton are expected to bid for Strasbourg midfielder Habib Diarra, and they have also already signed Iliman Ndiaye and Tim Iroegbunam for a combined total of close to £25m.
Diarra has been on Everton’s radar for several months and is likely to cost the club more than £21m.
However, if the takeover is not resolved by near the end of the transfer window, Everton will need to make contingency plans.
Cash flow could theoretically be an issue, which would affect the club’s ability to pay for players like Diarra.