Your morning Everton headlines on Wednesday, February 15.
Everton suffer investment blow as billionaire set to launch £3.1bn takeover bid for Tottenham Hotspur
A billionaire whose sports investment firm had been in talks with Everton over a minority stake is targeting a full takeover of Tottenham Hotspur.
Jahm Najafi, who until recently was part owner of the Phoenix Suns, is to table a $3.75bn (£3.1bn) offer for the North London club, according to the Financial Times, with his MSP Sports Capital business that he co-owns with former sports agent Jeff Moorad part of the plans alongside a consortia of other investors.
Najafi is said to be 'weeks away' from formally approaching Spurs owner Joe Lewis and chairman Daniel Levy, according to FT sources. The offer would see Tottenham valued at $3bn before adding $750m of debt. It is claimed it would be MSP and partners contributing 70 per cent of the purchase price while the remaining 30 per cent would come from the MENA region, mainly Abu Dhabi.
The news will come as a blow to Everton's hopes of inward investment after the club had been in talks with MSP Sports Capital in recent weeks.
Dave Powell has the full story, here.
Leeds United make managerial decision before huge Everton match
Leeds United will still have an interim management team in place when they take on Everton at Goodison Park this Saturday.
The two sides will go head-to-head in a relegation six-pointer after a disappointing first half of the season left both languishing near the foot of the table.
Their shared woes have resulted in the sackings of Frank Lampard and Jesse Marsch, but while the former has already been replaced at Everton by Sean Dyche, the search for a new Leeds boss is set to rumble on for longer.
A statement from the Yorkshire club said: "Leeds United can confirm Michael Skubala will continue to lead the men’s first team for the club’s upcoming fixtures. Paco Gallardo and Chris Armas will carry on supporting Michael, alongside the backroom team already in place.
For the full story, click here.
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