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Everton are now in the sights of Alisher Usmanov following the Russian billionaire’s decision to sell his stake in Arsenal.

The 64-year-old - valued at £11.8billion by Forbes - is ready to boost the Toffees’ already considerable financial firepower after failing to influence transfer policy at the Emirates.

Usmanov ended his 11-year association with the Gunners earlier this month after selling his 30 per cent holding for which he was paid £600million by Stan Kroenke.

Everton are majority owned by Usmanov’s one-time business partner Farhad Moshiri.

Both men had stakes in Red and White Holdings before Moshiri left to take control at Goodison Park. USM Holdings, one of Usmanov’s firms, also sponsors Everton’s Finch Farm training ground to the tune of around £75million.

(Image: REX/Shutterstock)

(Image: 2017 Getty Images)

“We are friends with Farhad Moshiri,” he told Bloomberg. “If he needs the support, I am happy to help.”

Usmanov had a £1bn takeover bid for Kroenke's stake rejected before finally deciding to cash in on his shares.

He has now admitted he could even consider investing in clubs across Europe if a tempting enough deal presented itself.

He went on: “Should there be a proposal or a possibility to invest in them with good potential returns, I would consider the deal.”