Everton are closing on a £200 million takeover agreement with US businessmen John Jay Moores and Charles Noell.

Everton are closing on a £200million takeover agreement with US businessmen John Jay Moores and Charles Noell.

Talks have reached such an advanced stage that the deal could be announced before the end of the month.

Moores, the former owner of San Diego Padres baseball team, and Noell have spent the last six weeks carrying out due diligence and holding talks with Everton's majority shareholders, chairman Bill Kenwright, Robert Earl and Jon Woods.

Two other interested parties, based in the Far East, are also keen to invest but negotiations with Moores and Noell are expected to prove successful.

Everton have so far declined to comment owing to the sensitive nature of ongoing negotiations.

Moores and Noell made serious on their interest in December just a month after Everton's general meeting where chief executive Robert Elstone confirmed: 'There has never been more people interested in investing in Everton and the Chairman is confident [investment] will be secured in the near future.'

Moores and Noell are understood to have already met manager Roberto Martinez and should the takeover progress they will also evaluate the search for a new stadium with nearby Walton Hall Park identified as one suitable alternative to Goodison Park. 

Will this move improve Everton's chances of trophies?