Another twist in Everton's takeover saga! New bid lodged for club by UK magnates backed by $120 billion fortune

Lifelong Evertonians Andy Bell and George Downing have come together to make an offer to purchase the club and their effort is being backed by the family office of American businessman Michael Dell, who is the founder of Dell Technologies, Sky Sports reports. The presence of the American gives the bid the backing of a $120 billion (£94bn) fortune.

Bell and George are not new candidates for Everton ownership, having been in the picture for around a year. Bell is the founder of investment giant AJ Bell and was in charge of the company for around 20 years before his resignation two years ago. Downing, meanwhile, is the founder of a large construction company.

Current Everton owner Moshiri has been on a two-year effort to sell the Goodison Park club. US-based consortium 777 Partners were expected to complete a takeover until this month when the deal officially fell through. Now Bell and Downing are well-placed to swoop in and buy the club, but there are still other contenders looking to get involved.

Everton will hope to have a deal wrapped up soon so that the new owners can begin preparations ahead of the 2024-25 season. The Toffees were twice hit with points deductions for breaching Premier League financial regulations and will hope to be in a better financial position under new management.