adminEverton owners The Friedkin Group could potentially accept an offer to sell the club for £200million below their current valuation.
That is according to former Toffees chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the Hill Dickinson Stadium could be an obstacle when it comes to securing the valuation that the Americans want.
Recent reports have indicated that the Merseyside club are valued at around the £1billion mark, with the possibility of a full sale potentially on the cards.
However, Wyness believes that the Friedkins could “settle” for a deal closer to “£800million,” while suggesting that prospective buyers are likely to assess the value of the club somewhat differently.
The Scottish businessman explained that revenue from the Hill Dickinson Stadium is still “not fully operational,” which could consequently affect its value as part of a takeover deal.
The Toffees are now into their second full season at their new home, but plans for the stadium to host regular concerts and events are yet to fully materialise.
Everton buyers to highlight ‘weaknesses’
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that prospective buyers will highlight the “weaknesses” behind Everton’s valuation.
He noted that the “transport links” between the stadium and Liverpool city centre are still not at the required standard for the club to “make the most” of any additional events it hosts.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness explained how potential buyers would emphasise those issues to negotiate a lower price.
“The buyers will probably come in from a different point of view. But I think there’s probably only a 15 or 20 per cent gap between, say, £800m and £1bn between potential investors,” he said.
“It isn’t insurmountable. And I think that there is something to be done there. The stadium revenue is still not fully operational yet. They still haven’t started having concerts and different things at the stadium.
“It takes a good three or four seasons for a stadium to really get into its stride and to get the right staffing situation and get everything humming along.
“They’ve got the big transportation issue from Liverpool city centre to the stadium still to crack if they’re going to really make the most of those sorts of events. So there are a few things there.
“I think that if I’m a buyer, I’d be pointing out those weaknesses. And if I’m a seller, I’m saying, well, look at the potential you’ve got. The growth is there.
“It’ll be that usual negotiation. But I think somewhere £800m to £1bn is where I think Everton will settle at the moment.”
David Moyes faces sack if Everton get bought
Former Manchester City financial advisor Stefan Borson told Football Insider earlier this week that it is “probable” that David Moyes would be sacked if Everton’s ownership changed hands.
The football finance expert made it clear that the Scot has no intention of leaving the club during the season, despite recent suggestions that a resignation could be possible.
Instead, Borson expects that a new owner would want to bring in their preferred manager as soon as possible, unless Moyes oversees significant success this season.
The experienced boss is also out of contract with the Toffees next summer, meaning only a relatively small amount of compensation would be required to relieve him of his duties.
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