Moshiri increases his stake in Everton

Is that too naïve?

I think Moshiri is desperate for the club to move forwards and he will try his best to make it happen but the biggest challenge is taking that step and having the mental strength and belief to challenge the top six and top four which for me is definitely there to be breached.

The problem with Everton is whenever the opportunity is there we fail to take it and start playing when it’s too late, last season the perfect example.

We could and probably should have one of United and Arsenal out of that top six but in Everton fashion we started hitting form too late.

Can Moshiri inject more capital or can the Club borrow more? I doubt either of those options are likely, meanwhile we are draining millions on long-term inflated contracts for players we don't have any use for. It's a long road ahead but at least Brands is in the driving seat.

I think there are three thing Silva needs to do to improve us one is to come up a plan of how to play against a team that just stick men behind the ball our run in showed that. Loosing to Fulham! Secondly, stop throwing away a lead score first then we would let the flood gates open.

Learn how to defend set pieces pick your system get everyone drilled in the same way (sounds simple but he's going to have to coach old / bad habits to get them doing what he wants them to do)

That being said if he hadn't have fucked up the start of the season because we had it easy and threw points away and then we lost our head when we lost at Anfield.

Personally, I'm taking this as a good sign for the future of the club. Am I right to think like this?

Also, can this have any effect on funding for the new stadium? Will it make generating funds easier?

The obvious link with Usmanov is hard not to get excited about but there is a slight worry that this one guy can do what he likes with us and no-one can stop him!

However, if it is true and all the conditions are met, he could now force Bill Kenwright and all the other smaller shareholders to sell to him so that he becomes outright owner.

Who knows where this might lead?

Deflated again... maybe next time we'll get lucky, pick a winner, never tell.

"Private Companies: Unlike publicly traded companies that must follow rules established by the Securities and Exchange Commission governing stock sales, private companies have a lot more flexibility when it comes to forcing stock sales. For example, a private company can require the heirs of a deceased stockholder to sell the shares back to the company. Private companies also may have agreements that require minority shareholders to sell to a majority shareholder who reaches a certain ownership threshold. In the case of employee-owned companies, employees are nearly always required to sell their shares back to the company if they leave."

Alternatively, it's all a pipe dream and I wake up and realise I am an Evertonian and these things don't happen to us!

Moshiri has been the decision maker. He appointed Walsh, Koeman and Allardyce and has allowed the poor signings on top dollar. He is driving the stadium. Anyone who thinks different is deluding themselves.

Re control - nothing new here as he already had full control with his 49.9% stake from 2016 given every single shareholder would have had to vote against anything he wanted to do to stop it. Highly unlikely given a small chunk of shares are held by 900 odd fans, many of whom don't take part in any corporate stuff.

Wonder if he can now force minor shareholders to sell their shares to get 100% ownership. Think with a 75% majority (which he now has) he can change the articles of the company to allow minority shareholders to be forcibly bought out at 'a fair' price.

I am surprised that Bill Kenwright made a statement some time ago that he would be stepping down due to deteriorating health, and yet he seems to be as involved as ever.

I am equally hoping that, behind the scenes, Moshiri has reinforced the war chest; it is totally understandable why no statement has been made as such, as any potential transfer dealings could easily take on a new dimension.

He has increased his shares in the club which means he will benefit even more with any increase in value of the club.

The only way the club will substantially increase in value will be with a new stadium and, hopefully, the increase in revenues, value of commercial deals etc.

Therefore, he believes the ground move will happen.

Or am I being too simplistic in my thinking?

The first one says, “Hi.”

The second one says, “Hello.”

As they walk away, each one of them is thinking, “I wonder what he meant by that?”

After years of being an Evertonian, many of us are terminally suspicious. We want to take apart any change until we have worked out what the downside might possibly be.

Maybe this time it's just good news, and reflects our man's commitment to, and belief in, “the project.” (I do so love that terminology.)

Starting with team building and the new ground.

So it just gives Moshiri a bigger slice of the cake when he eventually sells the club. That is why there was never a doubt about him building a new stadium, selling Everton with a new ground will be more profitable than if we stayed at Goodison.

For those suggesting Usmanov might come on board, well even if he did we would still be under the constraints of the FFP rules. Which would prohibit in ploughing in millions.

I don't buy into the Usmanov Trojan horse takeover. He has been in the clear to invest in the club since he sold his Arsenal shares a year ago. He hasn't made a move and his advisor has said he doesn't plan to. Where is the logic in some kind of long term secret takeover plan. Moshiri right now is on the hook for the stadium, team etc. If things improve, why would he suddenly want to bring in Usmanov to share the upside after he has endured the down side of flop signings, bad managers being paid off etc. From Usmanonov's perspective. Surely it would cost less to buy into 8th place Everton with a dilapidated old stadium than to buy into the future "super" Everton with a fancy stadium, regular champions league football etc.

Can't see it myself, but it would be superb if Usmanov did come in at some stage.

In the meantime, Farhad, let's celebrate by painting the Liver Birds in flourescent Blue, and see if the RS toerag hooligans manage to deface that!!

Just make sure they are always on, when darkness starts to pull in. Simples!

Why would a Billionaire who owns a Sky 'Cash Cow' be interested in bringing in a more powerful billionaire to take over; cause Usmanov is not going to be a silent partner.

We've wanted a billionaire for years and now we have one. If investments in players had gone better, we'd be farther along but the managers and DOF that he brought in didn't stand up to their supposed pedigree.

Give him more time and 'let him build BM and they will come'. Good times.

Cue further speculation. I think we are in for an interesting 6 months.

Really hope you're right. I've reached a mindset where I believe the delivery of the new stadium is absolutely crucial to us having any hope of becoming a top club again in the future.

Mike Gaynes # 9 nails it when he says “the man knows a good investment when he sees one”. To use an analogy from the real estate industry - in Everton he bought the worst house in the best street of the best suburb.

For some reason I decided to look into the financial fair play regulations and came across the Eufa site. Worth a look.

After reading through that, and in particular the points dealing with the benefits/incentives of investing in young talent and stadium development, I believe I have gained a better understanding of Moshiri’s “project”.

I am convinced that we are heading in the right direction on the pitch and off it - The Megafon stadium will be built ;)

I've just had a quick read of that link. If I'm honest, it made me a little bit pessimistic about the potential for future success.
If there's any truth in the rumours about Usmanov, or any other external investor, surely these rules place a limit on any difference they could make.
Hopefully, I've misunderstood what I've read and somebody has a different take on it.

Oh, I forgot the Club is in transition. As ever.

This story on the mobile site has a different photo to the one on the front page of what shall we call it, the PC site.

Mobile site - glasses on
Internet site - glasses off
Photo at top of this page - glasses on

Bit like a transfer saga - on, off, on

My gut feeling is that there is an “angle to be exploited” in those FFP rules if you find the “right financier” for the stadium development. If there is, Ryazantsev comes across as the sort of operator capable of doing so.

The offer from Liverpool City Council to finance 50% of the stadium costs looked a great deal and yet there has been no definite announcement which suggests to me that there is another attractive deal on the table.

There appears to be a lot of potential income if you get a naming rights deal done. We are well back in the pecking order at this stage but we wouldn’t be if we have a waterfront stadium on the Mersey. Some more interesting reading for those with the time to spare and an enquiring mind.

Stadium Naming Rights Estimates

On the playing front, last season we bought 3 young up and coming players two of whom, Digne and Richarlison, would get a start in a top six side. We got Bernard for no fee - a 26 year old Brazilian international. We are no longer taking our rivals cast offs

The appointment of Brands as the DOF also looks a shrewd move to me. I reckon he will get rid of most the deadwood this window and seal the Gomes, and maybe Zouma, transfers. I am also hopeful he will sign one or two more up and coming players from overseas.

We beat 3 of the top six at the end of the season and drew with two of the others. In fact the only top six side we didn’t take points off were the champions. I see that as progress on the pitch and an indicator that Moshiri has appointed, and to his credit stuck with, the right manager.

So Mike, all in all, my glass is much more than half full just now.

1. Will this be a gamechanger for the club in a financial sense? To my, admittedly limited thinking, any increase in match day revenues will be swallowed up with financing costs for the build.

2. What other options are there for meeting the costs? I'm aware naming rights will probably be involved. Could there be anything that involves the fanbase making a contribution? I seem to remember Arsenal doing something but can't remember exactly what.

3. Will a new stadium help us get better commercial deals? I can't see how it might affect shirt sponsorship, but is there anything else that I'm missing?

I apologise if any of these queries have been raised before and hope that you all don't mind me raising these points.

The other option is that he is planning a share issue to raise capital. If the club were to do so then the value of the existing shares would decrease (though I imagine only Moshiri and a few other shareholders would care.) It would allow Everton, assuming they can find buyers, to raise capital for the stadium without Moshiri having to put his hand in his pocket. While his shares would lose some value, it’s likely that they would recover once the stadium is built and revenue increases.

I know we have some fans who are much more knowledgeable in these things than I am - so what do you think the likelihood is of a new share issue?

More bullshit about retiring at 70, being seriously ill and finding the right buyer for the club.

For what it's worth there are a few more who believe we're right on money in lambasting him and his dubious, secret financial arrangements before Moshiri made him the offer he couldn't refuse, to the cost of 24 trophy-less years.

Well said Jay.

It is not beyond imagination that the vast majority of those left will be 'sold' to...'somebody' to fund the stadium... plucks figure from air - £400M.

It's a risk worth taking if your a multi billionaire.

As for us fans I just want some silverware and to be competing at the top of the league and in Europe each season.

As well as a new share issue, I wonder if there might also be a significant stock split, making the individual share price low enough to regular, everyday fans to buy a piece of the club while, at the same time, funding the new stadium AND making, what should be, a solid investment.

1. In the short term yes a lot of the increased income will go towards covering the debt but it's like getting a mortgage to buy a hotel. The debt costs decrease over time while the revenue remains the same or rises. Arsenal and now seemingly Spurs, were strapped for cash after the new stadium build but the last few years Arsenal have started to reap the benefit although their owner has decided to accumulate the cash instead of investing in the team.

2. Arsenal launched a bond scheme when they redeveloped Highbury. I think West Ham did something similar.

3. The location would help with deals because the idea is to redevelop the waterfront. So for example, let's say there is a Hilton hotel adjacent to the ground. Hilton would be more inclined to sponsor us in some way then they would if the nearest Hilton was miles away from Goodison. The new ground would be larger, so more room for marketing, and built with marketing in mind as opposed to Goodison which was built simply with accommodating fans in mind. Commercial income would also include executive suites etc of which there are very few at Goodison.

They owned a fair slice of Arsenal shares - but had no voice on the board. Moshiri left and bought into Everton.

An Usmanov aide said before Mr U sold his Arsenal shares that Usmanov wouldn't be selling his Arsenal shares.

Usmanov sold them.

USM paid £75 million(?) for naming rights on Finch Farm. Why? That's surely worth a couple of mil a year at best.

We then hear Usmanov is looking for a club and that he's willing to help his old mate out at Everton should he want it.

An Usmanov aide said he wouldn't be buying into Everton.

Moshiri is now the majority shareholder.

In a while the curtain will be pulled back - and reveal Mr Usmanov.

That's how I see it anyway.

Remember, Russians love those dolls within dolls (although I think he was Uzbek born).