The owners of a top-four Premier League club could step in after prospective Everton investors 777 Partners were forced to abandon a key overseas project.

Miami-based group 777 have been locked in a protracted campaign to buy Everton for almost a year, although recent developments now mean that a deal is overwhelmingly unlikely.

The Premier League has refused to green-light the takeover amid doubts that the firm can finance Everton going forward.

Takeover frontmen Josh Wander and Steve Pasko meanwhile have been forced out of their positions at 777. Their business empire is crumbling.

And 777 recently lost control of one of their prize football assets, historic Brazilian club Vasco da Gama.

Now, the billionaire financers of another top club could be about to take control of the four-time Brazilian top-flight champions in whom 777 bought a 70 per cent stake for £108m in 2022.

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Aston Villa owners eye Vasco da Gama takeover

Brazilian media are reporting that Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris, who have owned Villa since 2018, are exploring a deal to buy Vasco.

The club is in limbo after the Brazilian courts took it out of 777’s control. If Edens and Sawiris succeed, it could be come the latest new addition to their multi-club network.

Like 777, Edens and Sawiris have stakes in and partnerships with a number of different clubs, including Portuguese side Vitoria S.C and Japanese outfit Vissel Kobe.

How could this affect 777 Partners’ attempted Everton takeover?

The contrast between Edens and Sawiris’ V Sports group and would-be Everton owners 777 is stark.

Villa have just qualified for the Champions League, while the Toffees are in an increasingly precarious financial position as Farhad Moshiri attempts to find a new owner for the club.

It now appears certain that will not be 777, who have until 31 May to prove that they are able to fund the club in the long term – including their £500m stadium project.

And 777’s attempt to prove to the Premier League that they are financially capable of running Everton will not be helped by the debacle at Vasco.

Not that it was needed, but this is further proof that 777’s efforts to buy the Toffees are over.

Who else is in the running to buy Everton?

A lifeline could come in the form of MSP Sports Capital, another group who have a stake in multiple football clubs and who are reportedly looking into a deal to buy Everton

They have an option to take full control as part of a pre-existing finance arrangement with the club.

GDA Luma Capital have also presented an offer to lend the club £150m, although it not thought that includes an option to take equity in the Toffees.

A Qatari group has reportedly been contacted about a possible takeover, while US property magnate Maciek Kaminski and special purpose acquisition company LAMF Global Ventures Corp have previously shown an interest.

Moshiri has been talking to other groups for as long as it has been apparent that 777’s bid was doomed. Everton fans should learn more about those after 777’s 31 May deadline passes.