Everton takeover moves closer after talks with American consortium

Former San Diego Padres owner John Jay Moores and entrepreneur Charles Noell look into buying the Toffees

Goodison Park (Getty)

Everton are reportedly closing in on a £200m takeover by an American consortium after talks with chairman Bill Kenwright accelerated.

Former San Diego Padres owner John Jay Moores and entrepreneur Charles Noell, who have shown a previous interest in Premier League rivals Swansea City, have spent six weeks analysing the Toffees’ accounts.

BBC Sport report that Everton are moving closer to the completion of a deal which is likely to give them more financial clout in the transfer market. Kenwright has led negotiations but talks have also been on-going with major shareholders Robert Earl and Jon Woods.

Kenwright purchased Everton for £20m in 1999 and has remained at the top since, appointing David Moyes who would later deliver Champions League football, although the Merseyside club failed to reach the group stage.

Unrest among supporters disgruntled by an impotency in the transfer market has forced Everton chiefs to look into the possibility of selling up more seriously after years of claiming they were happy to receive a takeover bid.

Moores, who bought baseball team San Diego Padres for $80m (£53.7m) in 1994, is believed to be worth about £500m.