13/06/2024 50comments  |  Jump to last

Farhad Moshiri has reportedly received another bid for his majority stake in Everton, this time from Vici Private Finance which is backed by two billionaires.

According to reports, most notably from Paul Joyce in The Times, the UK-based group is being advised by former Blues director, Keith Harris, and has revived its interest in the Club after holding preliminary discussions with Moshiri "several months ago".

Joyce suggests that the offer from Vici, a newly-established "multi-family office of investment funds ... supported by two western hemisphere billionaire owners' funds" involves no further debt or other external funding and has shown proof of funds totalling £1bn.

Like that from the consortium led by Vatche Manoukian, Vici's bid is said to meet Moshiri's valuation of the Club  and "includes provision for short-term funding before completion to stabilise the club’s finances and an additional commitment towards restructuring and clearing debts."

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In addition, the group has apparently opened dialogue with the local council about the further regeneration of the area around the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.

Vici Private Finance's filing at Companies House from December last year lists two directors by the name of Mark Ward (50) and Owen Bolt (60).

Original source The Times



Reader Comments (50)

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Mike Gaynes
1 Posted 13/06/2024 at 19:57:33
I just looked up Vici Private Finance. The two partners are Owen Stanley Bolt, 60, of Basingstoke, Hampshire, who lists himself as a financier and is listed as controlling multiple companies (Joint Funding Solutions Ltd (which appears inactive), Aqua Lemna Group, Jab Get Ltd, Birch Tree Projects Ltd), and Mark Ward, 50, of London.

Their company was incorporated 28 December 2023 and lists its businesses as "Activities of financial services holding companies" and "Buying and selling of own real estate."

I have found absolutely no other information on either man. No news items, no Wikipedia articles. These are low-profile guys.

Paul Hewitt
2 Posted 13/06/2024 at 19:58:49
This Vici Finances bid looks very interesting. But I'm sure Moshiri will just ignore it.
Keith Gleave
3 Posted 13/06/2024 at 20:11:19
The positive in all this is the development opportunities in the vicinity. If this is what saves us, then so be it.
Jerome Shields
4 Posted 13/06/2024 at 20:17:24
Hopefully not too good to be true.
Denis Richardson
5 Posted 13/06/2024 at 20:31:17
Another positive is they’re not talking about needing loads of debt (for now anyway). Showing proof of funds for a cool £1bn is going to whet a few appetites.

Usmanov must be loving this.

Buy out Moshiri for c£400m and use £600m to clear the other debt. Job done. Club has no or v little debt (hopefully) saving tens of millions a year in interest and can focus on the most important aspect - the squad.

Whichever buyer wins, it’s going to be an interesting summer (assuming it stops raining…)

Gavin Johnson
6 Posted 13/06/2024 at 20:41:18
Other than a bid coming from Qatar with Tim Cahill, this sounds about as good as it gets...

Let's hope it's what it seems, unlike the Bell, Downing and Dell bid.

Rob Halligan
7 Posted 13/06/2024 at 20:50:51
FFS Moshiri, just accept it and do one.
Barry Rathbone
8 Posted 13/06/2024 at 20:55:26
Big money group, UK-based with cash on the hip brought in by an ex-Everton man – what's not to like?
Raymond Fox
9 Posted 13/06/2024 at 20:55:42
This does sound more optimistic, Moshiri should find a deal sooner or later.

"Don't believe anything you hear" is good advice though.

We don't have a clue what he's asking for the club, do we? It's bound to be a messy sale.

Iain Crawford
10 Posted 13/06/2024 at 21:01:59
Sounds too good to be true, doesn't it? ... and that sets alarm bells off.

We need to see more detail but, if true, this group looks like it would give us a fresh start and a sustainable future.

Gavin Johnson
11 Posted 13/06/2024 at 21:02:49
Is Orville's mate finally going to come through for Everton...?!

I seem to remember the last time Keith Harris was tasked to find a buyer, the only one he could find was the infamous consortium based in a Manchester bedsit.

Denver Daniels
12 Posted 13/06/2024 at 21:10:43
One of Vici's directors is named Mark Ward. Hopefully not that Mark Ward!

Formerly of this parish and beneficiary of an all-expenses paid holiday courtesy of the HMP.

Danny O’Neill
13 Posted 13/06/2024 at 21:17:55
Rob, succinct and to to point as always.

Just make a decision Mr Moshiri.

Take your money. In fairness, you did invest with good intent and the stadium will be a lasting legacy. I don't dispute what you were trying to achieve. You were surrounded by the wrong advisors.

But it is time now is to hand over so us mortals who have been with our Everton (our Everton) since the cradle can have optimism for the future.

Jamie Crowley
14 Posted 13/06/2024 at 21:32:42
I think a couple of my cousins entered an offer.

Seriously, the Milk Man is going to lodge a bid soon.

Peter Mills
15 Posted 13/06/2024 at 21:36:19
It seems there are a few legitimate parties in the running now.

If Moshiri is still interested in 777Partners or A-CAP, one can only speculate it is down to an ability to move money through dubious channels.

Tony Abrahams
17 Posted 13/06/2024 at 21:42:20
I am led to believe that this very same offer was on the table when Moshiri went with 777 Partners, so I wouldn't be getting too excited just yet.

I always held a sneaking suspicion that they were turned down because of Keith Harris, and had similar feelings when a spanner was thrown into the works regarding MSP because I'm sure either deal would have been the end of the road for Chairman Bill. But maybe I was wrong and it was because R&MF have been making a killing.

The interest rates on the loans are incredible so if someone can come in, act professional, and straighten out our finances, then I believe our club will have a very good chance of becoming great once again.

Tom Bowers
18 Posted 13/06/2024 at 21:47:59
Wow, they are all coming out of the woodwork.

They must think our club will be a big money-making commodity sooner than later.

However, the old saying is ''buyer beware'' so who knows what will happen? It could just be Moshiri has no intention of selling without getting his own investment back.

It should be interesting to see who we sell in the next few weeks.

Mike Gaynes
19 Posted 13/06/2024 at 21:48:58
Denver #11, the fellow's full name is Mark Thomas Ward.

When I Googled that name, the first hit that came up was a sex offender in that US cradle of warped humanity, Florida.

Tony #16, we're gonna need a cheap signing on the wing. You in shape?

Peter Moore
20 Posted 13/06/2024 at 21:50:03
Everything crossed for good news soon. This club certainly puts us through the wringer.

For Dyche, his staff and players, plus us lot, please get things moving soon.

Tony Abrahams
21 Posted 13/06/2024 at 22:09:40
The biggest wind of change that I've been desiring for years at our football club is the end of nepotism, Mike, so even though I know the manager personally, I'd be the first to fall out with him if he tries to give me the captaincy!

I believe that this bid, and the other bid from the two genuine Evertonians, are both credible, but is there anyone with any genuine credibility sitting on the other side of the fence? This is the biggest worry, imo.

Denver Daniels
22 Posted 13/06/2024 at 22:38:23
Mike, Florida Mark Ward sounds even worse.

Who knows how long Moshiri is going to drag this out? I'm tired of checking the internet every hour for some sort of resolution.

Christine Foster
23 Posted 13/06/2024 at 22:47:05
You know, Tony, your last comment really got me thinking.

If, for just a moment, we believed that Moshiri was and is actng totally independently of Usmanov, then he is totally incompetent and always has been with all things Everton.

On the other hand, if it was never his money, never his decisions, then he really is in a bad place. A reputation in tatters, he is following the wishes and instructions of his mate.

Either scenario for the club is bad; if he is just making poor decisions, then based on his previous ones, God knows what we'll get. If he's following the instructions of his mate, God knows what we'll get.

I think Moshiri may well have been made an "offer you can't refuse" with 777 Partners.

Time to get out my Rosary beads and go to confession again, God must be sick of hearing from Evertonians.

Derek Thomas
24 Posted 13/06/2024 at 23:06:17
Somebody, anybody from half a dozen? Show me the money!

Put up or shut up.

Just get it 'kin done!

As yet another candidate throws their hat in the ring.

Christine Foster
25 Posted 13/06/2024 at 23:30:39
I wonder who is doing due diligence on the bids for Moshiri? I wonder if he has actually heard the term "due diligence" or understands its meaning?

Failure to do as requested rather than do what's required, are, in some parts of the world rewarded with one-way flights from hotels open windows…

Derek Knox
26 Posted 14/06/2024 at 01:41:01
Jamie @ 14,

"Seriously, the Milk Man is going to lodge a bid soon!"

Mr Grimsdale? :-)

Gary Norman
27 Posted 14/06/2024 at 03:36:08
If this is true, surely we don't have to sell Braithwaite then?
Paul Hewitt
28 Posted 14/06/2024 at 05:30:00
When you read more about this bid then it's a no brainer, Moshiri has to accept it.

It actually sounds too good to be true. No further debt on the club and significant money to spend on the squad.

John Raftery
29 Posted 14/06/2024 at 07:15:51
The article in The Times reports that the bid ‘involves no borrowed money and it is believed that proof of funds of about £1billion in cash has been shown.'

If that is true, the key question is whether or not these people are fit and able to run a football club? They are ‘newly established' and thus have no track record whatsoever in football or anything else for that matter.

Paul Hewitt
30 Posted 14/06/2024 at 07:27:02
John @29.

Kenwright and Moshiri thought they could run a football club; that didn't end well.

This Vici finances also has a long term view on the land around the new stadium, apparently. They hope to redevelop it over the coming years.

Niall McIlhone
31 Posted 14/06/2024 at 07:43:49
It looks too good to be true… but if it adds impetus to the upward value of the club and sparks an interest from a consortium who have a genuine grounding in elite sports ownership, then that can't be a bad thing?

I find it interesting that names like Peter Kenyon and Keith Harris are again floating round, with our ex-CEO Keith Wyness offering his views on the ownership issue through a YouTube podcast.

At least all this speculation is giving us fans something to grasp on to? As usual, the owner and the (zombie) board are keeping stumm.

Steve Dowdeswell
32 Posted 14/06/2024 at 08:13:43
Why do I get the feeling that Moshri will drag this out with his persistent interest in talking to A-CAP and miss the boat on some, most, or all of his bidders?

I can honestly see him wasting this opportunity to relieve himself of the club and leaving us in the same situation come the start of the season.

Tony Abrahams
33 Posted 14/06/2024 at 08:27:48
This is the group I've been going on about since Dick-Dock, except I was under the understanding that they were Americans and not actually English.

It always intrigued me how they have remained so silent when people in the media must have known about their interest in Everton, but now the cat is out the bag. If it sounds too good to be true, then why did Moshiri overlook them for 777 Partners months ago?

I have heard they showed a lot more than £1B but, without knowing anything more and being aware that clever people can move a lot of money around in minutes, the biggest thing that resonated with me was when I heard that these people know or have been convinced that one of the only reasons that Everton are still a Premier League club, is because of an incredibly loyal and passionate fanbase that have been shortchanged for years.

It's got to be this group (less of an emotional attachment) or Bell and Downing for me.

Mike Cheshire
34 Posted 14/06/2024 at 08:31:15
Is there any chance at all that a deal could be sorted before the start of the new season?

I'd love it to be done by the end of June to give potential transfer targets some reassurance but that's too hopeful for a deal of this magnitude.

Plus, ya know... Everton.

John Chambers
36 Posted 14/06/2024 at 08:44:15
Mike,

This time last week, we were told there was an announcement imminent, probably before the end of the weekend.

Now, we seem a lot further away from a decision so I'm not holding my breath!

Paul Hewitt
37 Posted 14/06/2024 at 09:09:16
Mike, there's no hope in hell of any deal being done before the end of September.
Craig Walker
38 Posted 14/06/2024 at 10:08:27
Why does Moshiri make me think that he is going to get this decision wrong, as well?

People are queueing up to buy the club and we still are forced to wait whilst Moshiri still hankers after 777 Partners and A-CAP.

David West
39 Posted 14/06/2024 at 10:18:53
If this bid is genuine, and the sums of money at their disposal are genuine, then surely this is the best offer for Moshiri and the club.

I think we definitely need to separate those two parts of this deal – what's best for the club is not necessarily best for him, or would we have wasted all this time with 777 Partners?

It's funny how we now have this almost daily new bidders after we were led to believe 777 were the only option. Their £200M loan? Was that to just keep them in the race to buy us? To keep all other bids silent?

I read that these billionaire investors see the Premier League as a prestige investment, they know the value has rocketed and established Premier League clubs don't come up for sale that often, not a club like Everton. These billionaires won't want to miss out.

There's still a lot to play out. I hope the deal ends up being the best for the club because, with the stadium move, we have this once in a 100-150 year opportunity to progress, to really make a difference.

It can't be wasted so Moshiri can keep a few extra £££s.

Jimmy Hogan
40 Posted 14/06/2024 at 10:41:01
I'm the new investor in Everton and so's my wife.
Nick Page
42 Posted 14/06/2024 at 11:03:31
No, I'm Spartacus.
Ray Jacques
43 Posted 14/06/2024 at 12:40:48
FFS just sort it.

Get Moshiri as far away as possible

Benjamin Dyke
44 Posted 14/06/2024 at 12:44:16
Jamie #14,

That reminds of a conversation I had with someone who wondered if me and my mate were brothers and my mate replied "No, but we share the same milkman!"

David Holroyd
45 Posted 14/06/2024 at 13:05:37
Moshiri has a lot of choices to make. Let's hope he can make the right choice.

Unfortunately, I don't trust him to make the right choice. It's going to take some sorting out. Time is not on our side.

Derek Taylor
46 Posted 14/06/2024 at 13:12:29
I suspect 777 Partners and their funders A-CAP have a route back to Moshiri's 'guvnor' – or will have by the time the war ends!

What price the idiot is still calling the shots at Christmas?

Bobby Mallon
47 Posted 14/06/2024 at 15:10:14
If the club goes into administration, does Moshiri loose his money he's put in?
Derek Knox
48 Posted 14/06/2024 at 15:11:36
Jimmy & Nick (40/42)

What about the Cheesemakers?

Will they still inherit the Earth, or even Everton FC? :-)

Dermot O'Brien
49 Posted 14/06/2024 at 15:50:29
Derek, what's so special about the Cheesemakers?
Derek Knox
50 Posted 14/06/2024 at 16:18:17
Dermot, think I got the wrong movie, The Life of Brian! :-)

Close, but only a small cigar!

Ed Fitzgerald
51 Posted 14/06/2024 at 16:18:18
Dermot,

You need to be conversant with Monty Python to grasp the importance of that quote?

On the same Pythonesque theme going back to when Moshiri arrived – He's not the Messiah (we all thought he was) he is a very naughty boy! (We all know that to be true Now)

Kieran Kinsella
53 Posted 14/06/2024 at 17:44:06
Keith Harris & Orville
The Erasure lead singer
Munchkin
a bankrupt insurer
The Roma guy.

The others sound like the type Kenwright would have aimed for.

Nicholas Ryan
57 Posted 14/06/2024 at 20:06:02
Gary [27] No, we won't have to sell Braithwaite; but we might have to sell Branthwaite!

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