Alisher Usmanov furthered ties with Everton this week after MegaFon were confirmed as new main sponsor of Everton Women.
The Russian digital and telecommunications company will have their logo on the front of the team’s shirts, which will be worn for the first time in the FA Cup final on Sunday.
It has been described by Everton as the “biggest commercial deal in the women's team history”.
And it will see the relationship between the club and Usmanov - majority shareholder of MegaFon - develop further.
The billionaire has always maintained he would help his friend Farhad Moshiri at Everton if he was asked but has downplayed the idea of becoming a shareholder.
“Yes, with great pleasure, if he asks," Usmanov was quoted as saying when challenged on whether he could join Moshiri at Everton.
"I am thinking about my investment in this club. They are going to build a new stadium. I could sponsor them.”
This is clearly not a new idea for the 67-year-old, who made similar claims back in 2018 after selling his 30% stake in Arsenal to Stan Kroenke.
“We are friends with Farhad Moshiri,” he told Bloomberg.
“If he needs the support, I am happy to help.
“Should there be a proposal or a possibility to invest in them with good potential returns, I would consider the deal.”
Quotes also emerged around two years ago in which Usmanov described football in the UK as “too political”.
“Everton is far from where it should be,” he said. “We will also help him [Farhad Moshiri]. This is my friend’s club. In the UK, sport is too political.”
Earlier this year, too, Usmanov suggested there could be several options to increase his involvement with Everton.
“I am thinking about my investment into this club,” he told the Financial Times. “There are many ways [to invest]. It is not obligatory for me to participate myself. I could sponsor them. I could be a shareholder.”
