By Kieran Maguire

3rd Feb, 2023 | 4:38pm

Kieran Maguire: New Everton investor could offer 'straight cash up front' as £3.2bn deal done

Jahm Najafi could pay for a stake in Everton with “straight cash up front” thanks to his recent sale of NBA outfit Phoenix Suns.

That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Toffees owner Farhad Moshiri’s hunt for external investment in the club.

Najafi co-owns the investment firm MSP Sports Capital, which was linked by Bloomberg last Wednesday (25 January) with buying a 20 per cent stake in Everton.

Najafi until recently also owned a minority stake in Phoenix Suns.

But he has parted with his shareholding as part of the £3.2 billion sale of the team to Mat Ishbia in December.

This could make investment in Everton easier and more attractive to the American billionaire, claims Maguire.

“Lots of names are being linked to Everton, mainly from overseas investors,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.

“Having cash to put on the table can only be to the benefit of the prospective part-owner.

“Therefore, therefore, Jahm Nafia will potentially have an additional string to his bow if he does sell Phoenix Suns.

“He may be able to offer straight cash up front or perhaps a standard payment or some form of equity swap. This would be to the benefit of all parties.“

Moshiri is seeking investment in order to see the construction of the Toffees’ soon-to-be new home at Bramley-Moore Dock through to completion.

The stadium was originally due to cost £500m but costs have since spiralled to £760m.

In other news, pundit can’t believe Everton could seal out-of-window Isco deal as approach made.