Former Sunderland striker makes Everton and Newcastle United comparison as takeover speculation continues

Rangers legend Ally McCoist has compared the contrasting fortunes of Newcastle United and Everton as the Toffees moved a step closer to new ownership.

Reports have suggested Everton owner Farhad Moshiri is close to completing a deal to sell the Goodison Park club to Miami-based investment firm 777 Partners. The move comes after the Toffees have endured a challenging period in their history that has seen them narrowly avoid a first ever relegation from the Premier League over the last two seasons.

Moshiri confirmed he had been talking with investors earlier this year and it now looks as if his efforts could reach a successful conclusion with a deal said to be close. The move would 777 Partners add Everton to a list of clubs where they have invested after they bought stakes in Brazilian club Vasco de Gama, Belgium’s Standard Liege, Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin and Europa League champions Sevilla.

The financial challenges experienced by Everton over the last few years have led to the sale of several players, including the £40m deal that took young winger Anthony Gordon to Newcastle last January.

Former Sunderland striker McCoist discussed the recent improvement in form of Magpies star Gordon before going on to compare the state of his current and former employers as speculation continues over a possible takeover at the latter.

He told talkSPORT: “I thought he was excellent in the game they ended up getting beat against Liverpool.

“He looks as if he is enjoying his football, he looks as if there has been a pressure lifted from him and he’s just getting on with it. I didn’t realise he was so quick, I know he’s a good player but he’s very, very quick as well. He looks as if he’s seriously enjoying his football now.

“I’m in the same boat as I was in with Newcastle fans for many years with the Everton fans. You have to have a degree of sympathy when you look at the Everton fans and Newcastle fans. They’re are similar in the respect they really support their club and Newcastle for years and years and years were wanting new ownership and new direction.

“I just think Everton are in the exact same position as Newcastle have been.”