Moyes open to takeover

DAVID MOYES would welcome a foreign takeover of Everton, provided the prospective new owners did not betray the club’s heritage.

The Merseysiders are believed to be the subject of a €257m offer from Zabeel Investments, the investment arm of the Dubai royal family. The group had been in discussions with Charlton but Everton’s potential is thought to appeal to its leader, Mohammed Al Hashimi.

The Toffees have been put up for sale by current chairman Bill Kenwright, who has seen debts rise to €66.8m and work on a new ground in Kirby stall, but Moyes wants the new owners to be in the same benevolent mould as Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner.

“That’s what Bill is keen on — the kind of person who is keen on the club for what it is,” Moyes said. “Randy Lerner at Aston Villa is a very good example. He has gone about his job very nicely, backing his manager and letting him get on with his job without interfering.

“They are now reaping the rewards of a couple of years of stability.”