Usmanov hints at possible Everton involvement

Tuesday, 2 October, 2018



Updated

The Uzbek-born billionaire has long been linked with some involvement with the Blues, a possibility that was strengthening significantly following his recent decision to sell his 30% stake in Arsenal.

That has freed him up to take an interest in any Premier League club and while Usmanov doesn't specify when or how he might invest in Everton or, perhaps, the proposed new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, he hints that he could provide Moshiri some assistance in the future.

"Everton is still far from where it should be," he is reported to have said on TV channel, Russia 1. "We will also help him. And how. This is my friend's club!

"In Britain, sports are too political a sphere, so to speak. There is a great deal of tension today in business. Therefore, it is not known [how easy it would be for me to get involved]."

Moshiri, who sold his own shares in Arsenal to Usmanov in 2016 to facilitate his takeover at Everton, increased his holdings in the Blues to over 68% last month, a sign that he very much wants to be in the driving seat at the club.

It looked to preclude Usmanov from taking significant investment position in the club but there are numerous sponsorship and potential construction avenues open to the Russian that could assist his long-time business partner in his vision for Everton.

Update: The suggestion that Usmanov could invest in Everton has been played down by Jim White on his talkSPORT programmer.

Citing what he described as a reliable source, White said that the help that Usmanov was referring to in the context of the Blues was moral support rather than financial.

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