Farhad Moshiri is ready to shake hands on exclusivity terms to sell Everton to Roma owner Dan Friedkin, Telegraph Sport understands.
After extensive talks with four other parties in contention, the American businessman, who is worth £4.8 billion, has emerged as Moshiri’s favoured choice.
Andy Bell and George Downing, who have lent the Toffees £158 million, were early frontrunners, but Friedkin is said to have presented an all-equity offer which turned Moshiri’s head.
Everton and sources close to Moshiri were unable to clarify the situation but other bidders are increasingly convinced Friedkin has won the race.
Dealmakers have communicated to interested parties over the past 24 hours that Moshiri is ready to enter exclusivity terms with an undisclosed US-based consortium.
The club is not yet ready to formally make any announcement but the situation is expected to move quickly over the weekend. Fans had been keen on the offer tabled by Bell and Downing, given their local backgrounds, but the prospect of an all-equity deal, if confirmed over the coming days, will be warmly welcomed.
Moshiri had also been talking to an alternative proposal tabled by the A-Cap group of insurers, despite apparent pressure on the body from US authorities to cut its exposure to troubled 777.
Although Moshiri refused to rush into any decision, there are broad agreement terms that must be signed well before the start of the new season. The club faces major outgoings to keep its impressive Bramley Moore Dock stadium development on track.