TOFFEES CRUMBLE

FEARS are growing that Everton could be forced into administration next month, according to reports.

Toffees owner Farham Moshiri agreed a takeover deal with 777Partners in September and the club is currently reliant on the American investment company's funding to run.

The Premier League have been investigating 777's suitability as prospective owners since.

Led by co-founder Josh Wander, 777 hope to have their takeover approved by Christmas.

According to the Mail, however, the Premier League are expecting their investigation to continue into the new year.

This could plunge Everton into trouble, with the indication being that 777 aren't willing to keep funding the club via loans beyond the end of this month.

It's claimed that they have already loaned the Toffees more than £100million since September in order to keep them operational.

Moshiri is no longer funding Everton at all, with the club requiring an extra £20m on top of their fixed income in order to meet operational costs, including staff wages.

Should 777 opt against providing another loan the Toffees could face administration for trading insolvent.

Administration would trigger a further nine-point deduction, on top of the ten they have already been docked. Premier League chiefs are reluctant to take action that could result in Everton entering administration. But equally they will not be pressured into rushing into a decision. Would-be buyers 777 plan to fund their own takeover of Everton rather than relying on loans.

They are claimed to control £6bn worth of investment funds.

Over 60 companies are claimed to be in their portfolio, proving difficult for the Premier League to investigate.

Prem bosses are determined to establish the "source and sufficiency" of 777's funds.

While there are also numerous ongoing legal cases involving companies related to 777 in the US to consider. Everton are claimed to remain optimistic that the deal will go through. Sean Dyche's side have performed admirably in the wake of their initial ten-point deduction.

They are 17th in the Premier League table, and would be 10th without their dock. − The Sun.