Everton have broken off takeover talks with an American consortium.
The Stateside group headed up by former Manchester United and Chelsea chief Peter Kenyon were confident of concluding a deal later this month.
Discussions between Farhad Moshiri and Maciek ‘MG’ Kaminski had initially centred on fresh investment around the building of Bramley-Moore Dock.
Those negotiations expanded to the prospect of a full takeover, but the Blues’ majority shareholder is now understood to be committed to his position.
Kaminski had targeted a successfully concluded buyout in time for Everton’s visit to his home city of Minneapolis on July 20 for a pre-season tournament.
Frank Lampard’s side are set to take on Minnesota United, managed by their former striker Adrian Heath, four days after facing Arsenal in Baltimore.
Sources close to the Talon Real Estate CEO’s bid, which is joined by US businessman John Thornton, insist that it remains very much in contention.
But the six-week due diligence period of exclusivity granted to Kaminski and Thornton has now expired and is not expected to be reopened by Moshiri.