The same panel that ruled over Sir Jam Ratcliffe’s takeover at Manchester United will have the final say on 777 Partners at Everton, according to the Liverpool Echo. Everton will find out next week whether the American investment fund has been given the green light to finalise its takeover from Farhad Moshiri [The Guardian]. As outlined by Joe Thomas for the Liverpool Echo [17 March], the panel overseeing the decision has so far ruled on just one case, with Ratcliffe now owning a little over a quarter of Man United.

“The checks will be carried out by a body called the Independent Oversight Panel, which has the power to send the case back to the Premier League board if it considers it did not reach a “reasonable” conclusion,” the article read. “The panel was created after changes agreed by top-flight clubs in March of last year. The first decision to be reviewed was that of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of 25% in Manchester United earlier this year.“The Everton takeover bid is likely to be the second time such a panel is called into action, with the one that assessed Ratcliffe’s move having been the first.  “The Premier League only publicly confirmed Ratcliffe’s approach had been approved by its board after that panel had backed its original decision.” Whether the 777 Partners takeover gets the green light or not, at least there will be a decision one way or the other by this time next week. Join the Goodison News WhatsApp channel to get all our exclusives and the breaking transfer news FIRST. Everton have been waiting six months now for some clarity, with the decision taking far longer than anyone ever imagined would be the case. Should the takeover be blocked, it will see the Toffees back at square one and in pretty desperate need of a cash injection from somewhere. If it is approved, it means 777 can proceed with ending Moshiri’s time at the club. Given the many scare stories, it is hard to get too excited about the takeover being approved. However, it will at least mean all these months of speculation can finally be brought to an end. And given how long it has taken to get to this stage, you have to assume that all the relevant checks have been done and 777 are well positioned to run the club. Ultimately, only time will tell on that front In other Everton news, the Toffees are reportedly keeping a close eye on a player from a Championship club.

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