Everton need clarity as 777 Partners takeover saga rumbles on

As the Everton takeover saga approaches its eighth month there is a sense of frustration among the club's fans and beyond which is increasingly palpable and is so close to the end of its tether, it's in danger of snapping altogether.

Now the worry and distraction of another late relegation battle has been extinguished, it was inevitable the fans and many other interested parties would turn their attentions to who will take the club into its new stadium and beyond.

777 Partners, which has an agreement with majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri, has pumped in £200m in 'working capital' over the last eight months and received conditional Premier League approval to complete the deal - but it is yet to meet those conditions.

There has been a lot of negative publicity surrounding its business dealings and trying to decipher it has been a mind boggler for many.

Reports of a lawsuit filed in New York by one of its lenders accusing 777 Partners of fraud has raised alarm bells and doubt once again among Everton fans. It's the latest of several unfavourable reports regarding the group. The Miami-based company has not commented on the allegations.

The uncertainty surrounding the group has now reached the point where, understandably, many Everton fans are demanding clarity. Up until now 777 have not commented publicly on the takeover, insisting it is "respecting the process" of the league's owners and directors test.

That wasn't an unreasonable position initially and also a stipulation of the Premier League. However, with the process extending much further than expected it has become imperative that communication of some sort is required. The process has not been helped by two PSR investigations and sanctions in the same season for the club