Jahm Najafi, the US billionaire who co-owns the Phoenix Suns NBA team and is vice-chairman of the McLaren F1 team, has expressed interest in taking over Everton Football Club. This comes after reports emerged that Najafi was considering a £3.1 billion bid for Tottenham Hotspur. However, it has been confirmed that a recent meeting between Najafi and Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy was not related to any potential investment in the club. Instead, Najafi is said to be interested in taking a stake in Everton, which could include helping to finance the club’s new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock.
Najafi is no stranger to investing in sports teams. He already holds shares in European clubs Augsburg and Estoril, as well as a £300 million holding in McLaren through his company MSP Sports Capital. His interest in Everton comes at a time when the club is looking to secure funding for its new stadium project. The club has been working on plans for a new stadium for several years, with Bramley Moore Dock identified as the preferred site.
Everton’s current home, Goodison Park, has been the club’s home since 1892, but it is now considered outdated and no longer fit for purpose. The new stadium is expected to have a capacity of around 52,000 and will be designed to provide a better matchday experience for fans. The project is estimated to cost around £500 million, with the club hoping to secure funding from a range of sources, including private investors.
Najafi’s interest in Everton is likely to be welcomed by the club’s owners, who have been looking for investors to help finance the new stadium project. The club’s majority shareholder, Farhad Moshiri, has previously stated that he is open to selling a stake in the club to outside investors. Moshiri has been the club’s majority shareholder since 2016 and has overseen significant investment in the playing squad during his tenure.
The news of Najafi’s interest in Everton comes at a time when the club is performing well on the pitch. The Toffees are currently fifth in the Premier League table and are pushing for a place in next season’s Champions League. The club has also reached the quarter-finals of this season’s FA Cup, where they will face Manchester City.
Despite their recent success, Everton’s owners are keen to secure long-term investment to help the club compete with the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool. The new stadium project is seen as a key part of this strategy, as it will provide the club with a modern, state-of-the-art facility that can generate additional revenue streams.
Najafi’s interest in Everton is likely to be viewed positively by fans of the club, who have been calling for investment in the playing squad and infrastructure for several years. The club has a rich history and a passionate fanbase, but has struggled to compete with the top teams in recent years. The new stadium project is seen as a way to address this issue and help the club establish itself as a major force in English football once again.
In conclusion, Jahm Najafi’s interest in taking over Everton Football Club is likely to be welcomed by the club’s owners and fans alike. The new stadium project is seen as a key part of the club’s long-term strategy and securing investment from private investors is crucial to its success. With Najafi’s track record of investing in sports teams, he could be just the person to help Everton achieve its ambitions on and off the pitch.