Everton 'may look for more financial investment' after behind-scenes development

Everton could seek fresh investors after Uzbekistan-born billionaire Alisher Usmanov has seen his assets frozen, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

While that has come as a blow off the pitch, the Toffees saw their Premier League survival hopes suffer a major setback when they were thrashed 5-0 by Tottenham Hotspur last night, leaving them just a point above the drop zone.

Usmanov, who has commercial ties to Everton, has had his assets frozen by the European Union after it announced further sanctions in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The 68-year-old first linked up with the Merseyside club more than five years ago, with his USM Holdings company sponsoring the Toffees’ Finch Farm training ground.

He also struck a £30million deal to secure an exclusive naming-rights option on Everton’s proposed new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.

But the Toffees have cut ties with its Russian sponsors, including USM Holdings, after going to war with Ukraine.

The Mail on Sunday have claimed the sanctioning of oligarch Usmanov, who has fled to his bolthole palace in Uzbekistan since the Ukrainian invasion, has left Everton with a black hole of up to £300million in their playing budget.

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O’Rourke believes Everton may be looking for new big-money backers to head to Goodison Park to fill the void left by Usmanov’s assets no longer being obtainable.

The journalist feels the Toffees need more funds to be readily available if they are to stave off relegation to the Championship and bolster boss Frank Lampard’s squad in the summer transfer window.

O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “It might mean that Everton will be looking for financial investment