Everton’s takeover saga has been impossible to predict, from when 777 Partners first took the lead around this time last year to today, when the frontrunner remains uncertain even now.
Naturally, many expected John Textor to cruise into power as the last legitimate suitor present, especially after Dan Friedkin bowed out after he had previously been the favourite.
However, there has been a fresh twist in this tale which indicates that the Toffees could see one final shift in the race for power.
Dan Friedkin reignites Everton interest
The latest on Everton’s takeover saga comes courtesy of Bloomberg, with this outlet often on hand to provide the biggest updates throughout this period.
And, this could arguably prove to be the most important, as it details Freidkin’s renewed plans to enter the race for the Toffees.
It reads: ‘US billionaire Dan Friedkin has reignited his plan to buy Everton FC, people with knowledge of the matter said, roughly two months after cooling his interest in the English Premier League club.
‘The owner of Italian football team AS Roma is in discussions with stakeholders about the feasibility of an offer and how it would be structured, according to the people, who asked not to be identified discussing confidential information.
‘Friedkin’s renewed interest brings the possibility of another twist in the battle for control of Everton, whose owner Farhad Moshiri has been struggling to find a buyer for the financially stricken club.
‘Talks about a sale to Miami-based investor 777 Partners LLC collapsed earlier this year, opening the door to other suitors. Friedkin then stepped in for a period of exclusive talks before announcing in July that he wouldn’t be proceeding with a takeover.
‘Since then, US investor John Textor has emerged as a possible buyer. Bloomberg News reported last week that Textor has secured the backing of investment firm Aliya Capital Partners and entrepreneur Alexander Bafer for his pursuit. Textor would first need to sell an existing stake in Crystal Palace FC, another Premier League team.
‘Friedkin’s deliberations are ongoing and there’s no certainty they’ll lead to a bid, the people said. Representatives for the Friedkin Group and Everton declined to comment.’
It’ll be interesting to see what Friedkin’s stance on Sean Dyche’s Everton future would be, with the 53-year-old under pressure after a tough start to life on Merseyside.
Would Dan Friedkin be a better alternative than John Textor for Everton?
Whilst it’s impossible to definitively say that one takeover suitor would be better than the other, Friedkin does seem to boast far more legitimacy and security within the footballing world, especially with how he has run AS Roma since purchasing them in 2020.
Upon first walking into the Italian club, there was mass unrest built from a failure to win trophies and mounting debt despite consistently selling their best players. Sound familiar?
Since then, the American and his group reportedly wiped out the money owed, have a brand-new stadium on the way and have won their first European trophy in over 60 years.
Textor, on the other hand, boasts a far more niche approach to ownership, with plans to float Everton on the New York Stock Exchange in an effort to revolutionise its finances.
His may be a plan that works wonders, but Friedkin is a tried and tested expert in such a tough environment. His return to the table will be welcomed.
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