KENYON STICKING WITH BID FOR TOFFEES

PETER KENYON’S American consortium took a small step closer to buying Everton after financial meetings in London.

It is understood the group – fronted by the former Manchester United and Chelsea CEO (left) – have expressed a serious interest in buying out owner Farhad Moshiri, following an initial examination of the club’s operations.

They have signed an exclusivity agreement, which technically precludes talks with other parties, but have so far not entered a period of due diligence, which would indicate an even more serious intent.

The finance for Kenyon’s group is provided by Minneapolis-based property and investment tycoon, Maciek Kaminski

– an American-Polish businessman who was in London for talks – and goldmining billionaire John Thornton, who has controversial links with former US President Donald Trump and his one-time advisor Steve Bannon. Lawyers for Moshiri (below) were present in the meeting and further talks are slated for the coming days.

It was revealed on Monday there were four interested parties in buying Moshiri’s stake in the club, which could be valued in excess of £550million. Any buyer would also be forced to pick up the fixed-term contract which has been signed with construction firm Laing O’Rourke, to build the Toffees’ new stadium, amounting to another £500m-plus.

It would put a price tag of more than £1.1billion for the Merseyside club, but would still mean a loss for Moshiri, who has sunk more than £600m since 2016.

Moshiri has held talks with other parties and can return to them if there is no progress with the American group.