I do still wonder about how this all came about in the first instance. I'm just shooting the breeze here and (admittedly) straddling the world between speculation and conspiracy, but it could be suggested that the Moshiri acquisition is just a by-product of the Arsenal power struggle. It's my suspicion that Moshiri's role in the Gunners was always as a proxy purchaser of shares on behalf of Usmanov (who, let's face it, is the ultimate source of whatever wealth our new man has). In short: I have an uneasy feeling the Everton shares have been purchased as leverage in Usmanov's ongoing struggle against Kroenke. In what way? He (Usmanov - and despite his 'in it for the long haul' statements re AFC) has a possible exit route from Arsenal if he chooses to take the rest of the Everton stake up and cut and run. That would have to be a major concern to other Arsenal shareholders who dont know what Kroenke's long term plans are for Arsenal - and his fortunes have been inextricably tied up with Wenger's stewardship of the club, that's hurtling toward a conclusion in the next 12 months or so.
It is speculation, quite obviously, and EFC are hardly a club in any fit state right now to be a horse that Usmanov immediately jumps onto without massive infrastructural certainties over the stadium. But I worry that Moshiri's involvement is all enmeshed in that wider power struggle and that we might see inaction here because of it. The obvious lack of a stadium plan from what we gather from commentary so far and from Anderson is a concern that highlights this fear. I wouldn't be too certain that this is an orthodox takeover leading to a future in which we progress even incrementally.
Just a couple of things with that. In spite of the RAWK laughing bandwagon increasing evidence is being presented to show that the 1.3 billion Moshiri has in his own right is a conservative estimate, as mainly American firms who estimate them are in the dark about finances in Russia. he is very wealthy and probably has significant connections and shares that are probably a little tied up. However he does have huge influence, connections and ability to acquire funding off his own back without Usmanov.
Usmanov is the elephant in the room. They work very closely together and whatever he does will be a huge game changer. Moshiri's wealth takes us potentially to a new level (similar to Liverpool but probably a bit beyond them) but by no means to the pinnacle, Usmanov is the game changer. While we get laughed at for mentioning Usmanov it is actually really stupid not to consider him, especially given how closely him and Moshiri work together, and own companies together.
As I've said earlier in the thread, to me there are 3 possibilities;
1) Tactical play for Arsenal. Usmanov wants to pressure Kroenke. (At best) he gets his colleague to buy a rival club) (at worst for Arsenal, he starts funnelling his money into another club via him). he hopes this creates enough pressure on Kroenke to relent and sell.
2) Moshiri flies the nest. With the good will of Usmanov Moshiri feels it best he acquires his own football club and with Usmanov's blessing goes to buy a new club. Their partnership in football is broken and both build their respective teams.
3) Usmanov has grown frustrated and wants to move elsewhere. He uses Moshiri as a proxy to buy shares, and when the stadium is due to be built probably looks to move in together then. Perhaps he didn't do it outright as he feels selling all their shares in one go would be too bold a move. Maybe Kroenke would offer him a lower value if he was bloc selling his and Moshiri's shares? Alternatively they may have felt rushed to act to stop someone else acquiring the club, and the time taken for them both to sell their shares wouldn't have allowed them to do it.
At present we don't know, and for the foreseeable won't know. I think it's unlikely it's 1 though. Even if Kroenke sells (which he won't, he has openly said it's an investment for the family, and it would be a stupid time to sell a PL club) and Usmanov acquires Arsenal it would be a silly move for Moshiri to sell up as he has a great deal at Everton. It also sounds like Moshiri has been looking at Everton for a little while. The plan to flush out Kroenke would seem to me to be a bad strategy and they would know that.
Lets see what he says, this summer will be significant. I am cautiously optimistic that we could be looking at a scenario 3, with Usmanov, Moshiri and potentially other partners looking to build a super club. Located in an iconic football and tourist city, with wilted rivals and slightly further afield United struggling too there is a real opportunity.
