Kenwright (left) has asked Everton fans to be patient

Bill Kenwright has reiterated he would welcome any new investment at Everton which would give the club more chance of breaking into the top four.

An Everton statement read: "Bill has often said that Premier League football has become a game not for multi-millionaires but for billionaires.

"And that pertinent analysis still holds true.

"He has never attempted to hide the fact that he, personally, does not have the funds to move his club forward."

Everton rejected reports that the club would be put up for sale should plans to build a new 50,000-capacity stadium in Kirkby get Government approval.

Russian, American and Dutch investors have expressed an interest in buying the club, and the club claims Kenwright, who has been Everton chairman for eight years, will "continue to sit down and discuss the club's future with any individual or group which boasts integrity and financial clout."

To suggest that there is some sort of link between confirmation of a move to Kirkby and the prospect of serious negotiations with would-be suitors is totally wrong Everton FC statement

"Self-evidently, any club which can boast a stadium which is modern, fit for purpose and capable of expansion does represent a more attractive proposition to potential investors.

"Logic therefore dictates that if we do find a new home EFC would, as the club which has finished inside the top six on three occasions in recent years, be a more attractive proposition to investors.

"However, to suggest that there is some sort of link between confirmation of a move to Kirkby and the prospect of serious negotiations with would-be suitors is totally wrong."

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And the resignation of chief executive Keith Wyness has added to the air of uncertainty at the club - though Robert Elstone has been promoted to the position in the interim.

On Monday, Everton manager David Moyes said he was worried he would not be able to bring in any significant new faces before the start of the new season.

"It's not just a new face we need - it's new faces," said Moyes. "My big concern is that anybody we bring in now probably won't be ready to start the Premier League season."