Michael Dell speaking on a podcast
Michael Dell speaking on a podcast
Michael Dell has emerged as one of the first parties to express interest in Everton.
The Blues are up for sale, putting the future of the club into uncertainty.
Journalist Alan Nixon reported on the Dell family's possible £1billion-plus takeover at Everton.
Everton fans will be hoping that any potential ownership takeover will go through smoothly.
However, with Dell, there may be issues that will have to be immediately addressed.
As a precedent from 2025 directly linked to the investment group, this raises early concern.
How 2025 Reading precedent may affect Everton and Michael Dell
In 2025, businessman Robert Platek looked to take over Reading, but he faced scrutiny due to his work with Dell.
There were concerns over the involvement of Platek in Dell's investment group BDT & MSD Partners.
Platek was the co-head of global credit at the time, and there were complications over having an EFL club owner directly linked as a creditor to others within the pyramid.
Unfortunately, Platek would walk away from the deal himself, rather than an official outcome emerging from the possible conflict of interest.
But now, as the Dell family have a reported interest in Everton, that very situation may relate to the Toffees.
As per official quarterly reports from June 2026, MSD's investment group confirm they currently have loans tied up in Southampton, Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest.
The maturity date for Nottingham Forest is in 2028, Southampton in 2029, and Sheffield United in 2030.
There is still plenty of time left on these financial injections.
So, it does raise the question: if Platek's involvement was a concern, then that would presumably raise issues for the man behind the investment group.
Dell takeover would not be completely dead in the water
Despite the possible conflict of interest, that does not immediately rule out Dell as an owner.
However, the American businessman may have to take over Everton using a separate investment group, rather than the same one that currently has those English football ties.
The takeover would have to be independently assessed by the Premier League, with appropriate safeguards put in place completely separating the two business entities.
Nonetheless, with loans to other clubs extending as far as 2030, those financial relationships are unlikely to disappear overnight.
If the Dell family were to pursue Everton, the way those interests were managed could therefore become an important part of the takeover process.