A Peter Kenyon-led consortium has been given exclusivity in talks to buy Premier League club Everton, according to a report.
Late on Monday evening it had emerged that several parties were interested in taking over the Toffees this summer, with current owner Farhad Moshiri reportedly willing to sell.
The British-Iranian businessman sold his stake in Arsenal back in February 2016, before purchasing a 49.9% stake in Everton later that month.
The 67-year-old would go on to increase his stake in the Merseyside club to 94% in January 2022, but despite significant investment in player transfers in recent years, Everton have struggled to progress and only narrowly avoided relegation to the Championship in the 2021-22 campaign.
Now a consortium led by former Manchester United and Chelsea chief executive Kenyon are said to have been given exclusivity in their offer to purchase the club from Moshiri this summer, according to The Telegraph.
The report claims that although Kenyon is fronting the bid, the majority of the funding is said to be coming from USA-based businessman Maciek Kaminski.
It is suggested that a potential sale would exceed £500m, which would include the club's current debt, whilst the potential new owners would be expected to fund the completion of Everton's new stadium at the Bramley-Moore Dock.
The consortium will also seek reassurances over any potential fines or deductions that could be coming Everton's way, after Leeds United and Burnley requested a legal investigation into the club's significant losses over the past three years, with a £200m compensation claim being submitted.
The Toffees retain their innocence over the breaking of any Financial Fair Play rules, which is currently being looked into by the Premier League.