Everton owner Farhad Moshiri has insisted the club is not for sale – and urged supporters to judge them at the end of the transfer window after fresh criticism from fans this week.
Moshiri was the subject of criticism from the 27 Years Campaign – a group of Everton fans calling on him to listen to supporter discontent and act to change things at the club – this week. Banners calling on him to sell up were hung outside Goodison Park and the group were demanding more clarity on his intentions for the club.
That follows a disastrous season which saw the club flirt with relegation before posting financial accounts that showed heavy losses. Everton have sold Richarlison to allow financial wriggle room for Frank Lampard to reset a squad that was not fit for purpose.
Moshiri has now penned an email to supporters setting out his intention to keep hold of the club, while also pledging to back Frank Lampard and Kevin Thelwell in the transfer window.
He admits there may be minority investment in the club.
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Other groups are interested in launching a takeover but the club’s majority shareholder has sought to clarify his intentions with an official communication through the club’s website.
“There has been much talk of investment in our football club recently – even takeovers – but I want to clarify that there is no ‘for sale’ sign currently hanging outside Everton Football Club,” he wrote.
“It will always be pragmatic to explore all potential investment opportunities and, as I have been transparent about, I am focused on completing the financing for our fantastic new stadium as well as strengthening the playing squad and that might include a minority investment. That will continue.
“But I want to reassure all of you that Everton Football Club is not for sale.
“My commitment to the club remains strong and focused and Kevin Thelwell and the chairman are currently working hard to bring in new players to improve Frank Lampard’s squad.
“There will be new signings and I would ask supporters to judge us at the end of the transfer window – not now – and to listen to official club channels for information.”
It is Moshiri’s second open letter to supporters in the space of two months. Perhaps illustrating that he is aware of the 27 Years campaign’s demand for him to listen and engage with supporters, he pointed out that the club’s inaugural fan advisory board met last week.
“This occasion firmly underlines our ongoing commitment to engage with our supporters and, as we look to the 2022/23 season, we are committed to furthering that dialogue,” he wrote.
Whether the communication will silence some of the criticism that has come his way is unclear. But the need for further reinforcements for Lampard is clear – and it’s understood Thelwell has remained in the UK to work on transfer deals.
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