Everton LIVE transfer news – latest Branthwaite, linked Preciado, takeover options

Speaking about the deal collapsing a short time earlier, football finance expert Kieran Maguire told BBC Radio 5 Live: “The Friedkin Group were doing their due diligence on Everton’s finances and they had reservations about some of the outstanding loans.

“They were hoping the creditors would take a cut of what was owed to them, one of the 777 owners has a complicated story.

“I think the Friedkin Group thought it was getting too complex and too risky from their point of view.

“They were going to inherit huge amounts of debt and if they couldn’t guarantee that some of the existing creditors couldn’t get a cut of what they were owed, they felt it wasn’t a worthwhile business to go forward with.

“The view that most investors and creditors will have – to date Everton is worth more as a going concern than a club that could go into administration because they will lose any influence they have over the running of the club.

“We will perhaps see further commitment from creditors as they fear that the alternative is that they could lose substantially if the club goes into administration, which is the worst case scenario.

“It’s a setback but Everton are still an attractive proposition if the right price can be agreed for the club.”