Everton are reportedly hoping to get Alisher Usmanov on board.
According to The Mirror, Everton are hoping to get Alisher Usmanov on board to reunite him with majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri.
The Toffees saw Moshiri become majority shareholder in 2016, and he has backed the club with millions spent on transfers, but there have always been lingering thoughts about Usmanov.
Uzbek billionaire Usmanov has been a long-term business partner of Moshiri’s, and after the latter ceased interest in Arsenal in order to become the leading force at Everton, some thought Usmanov would follow.
That has yet to happen, but the signs have been there for all to see. USM Holdings, Usmanov’s conglomerate, sponsor Everton’s Finch Farm training ground, and Usmanov recently sold his shares in Arsenal to Stan Kroenke, meaning he is free to pursue another Premier League club.
The Mirror claimed in September that Usmanov had decided not to move for Everton though, and would instead look to League One side Charlton Athletic, but things may be changing.
The Mirror’s newest report states that Everton and Moshiri now hope to convince Usmanov to come on board, which would give the Toffees incredible spending power that few in the Premier League could really compete with.
Whether Usmanov’s stance has changed in a month remains to be seen, but Moshiri knows Usmanov wants to lead a football club, and joining forces at Everton may be his best – and easiest – shot right now.
It’s added that chairman Bill Kenwright is now willing to take a back seat, with Moshiri gaining more and more power, which could just lead to Usmanov reuniting with his business partner at Goodison Park.
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