Steve Rotheram details 'frank and open' talks with 777 Partners over Everton takeover

Steve Rotheram said he had a "frank and open" discussion with prospective Everton owners 777 Partners over a number of key issues, including the financing and completion of the club’s new stadium.

The Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, who wrote of his concerns over the state of affairs at the Blues and the direction in which the club was heading in the Liverpool ECHO this week, met with the US investment firm on Wednesday.

During the meeting, scheduled after his intervention, he discussed the stadium development along with wider issues including the plans for a legacy project on the site of Goodison Park after the club’s move to the Liverpool waterfront.

He said he would continue to ask questions of the group while it bids for regulatory approval.

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An agreement through which 777 would acquire current majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri’s 94.1% stake in Everton was announced earlier this month. It was the latest development in an 18 month search for investment and financing for the club and stadium. The plans are set to be considered by organisations including the Financial Conduct Authority and the Premier League, both of which will assess the viability and suitability of the proposed takeover.

Mr Rotheram has been watching developments in and around the club with concern and wrote to Everton to seek assurances and information over a number of key issues. In his words for the ECHO, which formed part of a special report on the takeover and state and future of the club, he wrote: “Everton fans across the region and beyond are understandably