Russian tycoon Alisher Usmanov has revealed to Bloomberg his willingness to join forces with Farhad Moshiri and invest in Everton.
The multi-billionaire signalled his intention to stay involved in Premier League football after selling his stake in Arsenal last week for £550million.
Usmanov’s USM Holdings already sponsors the Everton training ground and the Uzbek-born magnate “doesn’t exclude” a more significant investment.
“We are friends with Farhad Moshiri,” he said in a phone interview with financial site Bloomberg. “If he needs the support, I am happy to help.
“Should there be a proposal or a possibility to invest in them with good potential returns, I would consider the deal.”
OPINION
This is a huge statement of intent from Usmanov. While his interest in investing in Everton is couched in an admission that he is also has an eye on big hitters on the Continent such as Bayern Munich, AC Milan and Roma, the Russian’s relationship with Moshiri could prove integral. The majority shareholder of Everton can hardly be accused of holding back since taking a 49.9 per cent stake in 2016, with the club spending far bigger on playing talent than at any other point in their history. But even Moshiri does not have anywhere near the same cash as Usmanov, who Bloomberg report has an £11.34 billion fortune amassed mainly from mining and telecommunications. The prospect of the eighth-richest man in Russia investing in Everton will no doubt be an appetising one for club, especially as a minimum of £220million is needed for a new stadium at Bramley–Moore Dock.