Everton owners The Friedkin Group have announced that they are exploring new investment opportunities for the club, including “a potential sale of a controlling stake”.
The decision by the American group comes less than two years after they bought the “Toffees” from Farhad Moshiri in a deal believed to be worth over £400 million.
In September, it was reported that The Friedkin Group, led by American billionaire Dan Friedkin, was looking for fresh capital into Everton.
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The possibility of finding strategic investors and carrying out a minor sale was initially suggested, but Everton’s owners have now said that “the time is right” to consider a full sale of the club.
The Friedkin Group makes statement on Everton sale
“When TFG became the manager of Everton, the club faced significant financial uncertainty and challenges both on and off the pitch,” Everton said in a statement on Friday.
“The immediate priority was to provide the stability, investment and support needed to secure the club’s future, including helping to complete the long-promised stadium for its deserving supporters.
“With that foundation now firmly in place, the time is right to consider the next chapter for Everton. We will only consider interest from parties who we strongly believe will be the right stewards to take the club forward and build on the momentum that has been established.
“Throughout this process, TFG’s focus will remain unchanged. We will support the club in any way necessary to achieve success on the pitch, and continue to work to make a positive difference in the communities the club serves.
“TFG and the club will not comment further while this work is ongoing.”
Why do Everton’s owners want to sell the club?
The Friedkin Group’s decision to put Everton up for sale comes as no great surprise, given their strained relationship with the “Toffees” supporters and how they have been openly looking for new investors in the past.
Everton fans were bitterly disappointed with how the club ended the summer transfer window, leaving manager David Moyes with just 18 players in the first squad after the transfers of Iliman Ndiaye, Beto and Tim Iroegbunam on deadline day.
There was also anger directed at the club’s owners for their attempts to sell highly-regarded midfielder Harrison Armstrong, who was reportedly close to joining Nottingham Forest for £40 million before the deal was stopped.
The Friedkin Group opted for a more active approach to transfer business at Serie A giants Roma, the second European club they own, which managed to attract a number of players thanks to Champions League qualification.
Having stabilised Everton financially after overseeing the move to Hill Dickinson Stadium, The Friedkin Group believes that the club is now an attractive proposition for new buyers, as they feel they have taken the club as far as they can.
What happens next for Everton?
It has been suggested that The Friedkin Group bought the club for a discounted price in December 2024, and will now look to sell for between £800 million and £1 billion – potentially seeing them double their money.
It is still unknown at this stage who exactly would be interested in buying Everton, but the opportunity to buy a Premier League club with a clear ambition to push for Europe would apparently appeal to more investors.
On the pitch, Moyes and co will remain focused on building on their unbeaten start to the new season (2 wins, 3 draws), with the “Toffees” travelling to Hull City for their next game on Sunday.
