Source: SKY_Sports
Everton rebuff Abu Dhabi talk
Everton have formally disassociated themselves with claims they are about to be taken over by a Middle East consortium.
The speculation surfaced on Wednesday night in the Abu Dhabi-based newspaper, the National, in which Chris Nathaniel, managing director of NVA Management, claimed that he had already met club officials to outline a possible offer from a United Arab Emirates consortium.
The National quoted Nathaniel as saying: "I can confirm I am acting on behalf of a UAE-based business consortium, who are chaired by a prominent Dubai businessman, and that I am currently in discussions with a number of Premier League clubs, one of which is Everton football club."
Nathaniel also said: "Lots of Middle East-based individuals and groups are approaching me about Premier League clubs. There is a real appetite in the region."
However, Toffees chief executive Robert Elstone made it plain that no deal is being discussed by the Goodison Park club.
He said: "To suggest someone is working for us and that he is close to concluding any form of deal is totally wrong."
The Toffees have now issued an official statement on the subject, saying: "In the wake of reports in some morning newspapers,
Everton Football Club wish to clarify the situation with regard to suggestions of a possible takeover by a United Arab Emirates-based business consortium.
"The reports, which originated in an Abu Dhabi newspaper, suggested that the managing director of NVA Management, Chris Nathaniel, was discussing with "a prominent Dubai businessman" a proposal to purchase a controlling interest in Everton Football Club."
The statement quoted Elstone, saying: "Mr Nathaniel rang me this morning to apologise profusely for the piece claiming that he had been misquoted.
"I had one, brief meeting with Mr Nathaniel a year ago and that is as far as it went. To suggest that he is working for us - and that he is close to concluding any form of deal - is totally wrong," he added."
Everton chairman Bill Kenwright told a meeting of the club's shareholders last week that the search for major financial investment was continuing but that nothing was imminent."
