The Premier League are set to scrutinise Alisher Usmanov's extraordinary naming rights deal for Everton's proposed new stadium amid concerns from rival clubs that it could constitute a breach of the organisation's rules.
The announcement that Usmanov's holding company USM has spent £30million acquiring the option to buy the naming rights for a ground that is not due to open until 2023 — building work has yet to begin — was greeted with incredulity by Everton's top-flight rivals.
Several club executives told Sportsmail that the unprecedented arrangement appeared to be a ruse designed to help Everton bypass profit and sustainability rules.