Everton are set to move to kit manufacturer Castore next season, despite Aston Villa’s complaints about their wet-look shirts and one club in the stable of prospective new owners 777 Partners cutting short their contract with the under-fire company.
Telegraph Sport revealed that Villa are expected to agree to an early termination of their contract with Castore, while Newcastle United have already invoked an exit clause in their deal and will switch kit providers at the end of this season – even though the club describe the quality of their products as “extremely high.”
One club already under 777’s ownership, Genoa, also left their deal with Castore after just one year this summer over reported supply and delivery issues.
But that has not put the brakes on negotiations between Everton and Castore for the British manufacturer to take over from Hummel as the club’s kit provider from next season.
Everton’s current deal with Hummel runs out at the end of this season and sources with knowledge of the situation claim Castore are in line to take their place.
Everton are waiting for approval from the Premier League for the 777 Partners takeover to go ahead, which could take another nine to 10 weeks.
Genoa, who are owned by 777 Partners, signed what was described as being a “multi-year” deal with Castore last summer, but the partnership lasted only one year, with the Italian club switching to Kappa for this season.
It was reported that Genoa received late delivery of their Castore kits and winter jackets last season, with fans also allegedly complaining of supply issues before this summer’s switch to Kappa.
Representatives of Castore and 777 Partners declined to comment over a potential deal with Everton and the early termination of their contract with Genoa. Everton were contracted.
777 Partners also hold a minority stake in Sevilla, who announced a ‘multi-year’ agreement with Castore last summer. There have not been any reported problems between the manufacturer and the Spanish club.
It has been reported by Telegraph Sport that Wolverhampton Wanderers experienced issues relating to their Castore kit deals, which were subsequently solved, and Charlton Athletic have received fan complaints.
Players from both the Villa men’s and women’s teams have raised complaints about the club’s shirts, which are claimed to quickly become wet, making them heavy and uncomfortable.
Telegraph Sport has been told Castore has spoken to its other clubs over the past week and found no evidence the problems faced by Villa were more widespread.
Castore are said to be working hard to try to rectify Villa’s problem as quickly as possible, with industry insiders claiming the firm are canvassing other factories for help to remake the club’s kits.
A spokesperson for Castore said: “There has been some media speculation about a potential issue in the football kit supplied by Castore to Aston Villa Football Club. We are working closely in collaboration with the club to address this issue as quickly as possible to meet the standards we expect. We would like to thank the club for their patience and support to date.
“As a proud new British brand, we always hold ourselves to the highest of standards and strive to do everything we can to constantly improve the performance of our products. This means addressing any customer concerns with promptness and humility.”
