Everton should soon be under new ownership (Photo: Getty)
Everton majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri has agreed to sell the Premier League club to Roma owner Dan Friedkin, according to reports.
Moshiri looked set to sell his 94.1 per cent stake in the Toffees to American investment group 777 Partners’ but that takeover collapsed a few weeks ago.
‘The agreement between 777 Partners and Blue Heaven Holdings Limited for the sale and purchase of the majority shareholding in the Club expired today,’ a club statement read on 1 June.
‘The Club’s Board of Directors recognises the considerable level of financial support 777 Partners has provided the Club over recent months and would like to take this opportunity to thank them for this.
‘The Club will continue to operate as usual, while it works with Blue Heaven Holdings to assess all options for the Club’s future ownership.’
There were many interested parties, including Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor, but Sky Sports now report that Friedkin has agreed to buy Everton.
Who is Dan Friedkin?
Dan Friedkin, 59, is the CEO of the Friedkin Group and has an estimated net worth of £4.9billion.
Dan Friedkin’s Roma won the Europa Conference League in 2022 (Photo: Getty)
The company is well-known in the film industry, having produced the Leonardo DiCaprio starring Killers of the Flower Moon and distributed the Oscar-winning Parasite in 2019.
In the football word, they bought Roma in 2020, acquiring the Serie A side for an estimated £553million.
Under their ownership, the Italians hired Jose Mourinho, won the inaugural Europa Conference League and reached the final of last year’s Europa League.
Everton are moving to a new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock in 2025 (Photo: Getty)
Details of the takeover
It is said that the offer Friedkin made Moshiri last week has been accepted and the Texas-based businessman will be granted exclusivity within the next 48 hours.
It is not said how much the deal is worth though he will buy the entirety of Moshiri’s 94.1 per cent stake in the club which the 69-year-old has had since January 2022, having first invested in Everton in 2016.
The deal will of course also have to be approved by the Premier League.
The takeover could affect Jarrad Branthwaite’s transfer status (Photo: Getty)
The 2024/24 season is set to be the last at Goodison Park, with the club moving into a brand new 53,000 capacity stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock which has cost around £750m to construct.
Last season, Everton were docked eight points for breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules which dragged Sean Dyche’s side from mid-table into a relegation battle.
They finished 15th in the end and it is hoped that under new ownership the club will have a more secure and stable financial situation.
Moreover, it is reported that as it stands the Toffees may be forced to sell players quickly or risk breaking more financial rules and more points deductions.
Star defender Jarrad Branthwaite is their most prized asset and has been the subject of a £35m bid from Manchester United, an offer that was swiftly rejected.
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