A potential takeover at Everton has edged a step closer after American investment firm 777 Partners had their bid cleared by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Having agreed a deal with Everton owner Farhad Moshiri to take majority control of the club back in September, 777 Partners have struggled to make progress in the three months since.
However, they have now received the approval of the FCA, a regulatory body in charge of maintaining the integrity of financial markets.
This represents a step forward for 777 Partners, although their prospective takeover of the Merseyside club will still need to be approved by the Premier League and Football Association before it is given the green light.