4 Aug 2008Everton deny investment linked to Kirkby

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Everton have denied rumours that investment in the club is directly linked to plans for a new stadium in Kirkby.

Bill Kenwright, chairman of the club, has maintained his stance on ownership and would welcome any bidder who came up with a beneficial offer for the club.

Rumours insisted that Indian, Russian and American businessmen were all interested in investing in the club if the plans for the new stadium went ahead.

But Everton claim the new stadium would not affect any potential investment.

Ian Ross, a club spokesman, said Kenwright has been looking for investment at "every AGM" in the last five years.

"Bill has never attempted to hide the fact that he does not have the funds to move the club to where he and the supporters want it to be: at the forefront of the English game," he told the Liverpool Echo.

Mr Ross said it was clear that having a big stadium would make the club attractive to investors but he said that there was no link between the move and negotiations with potential buyers.

Meanwhile, fans will be excited by the club's continued negotiations for Sporting's Joao Moutinho for whom they have reportedly offered £16 million.

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