Everton could be facing another change of ownership less than two years after their last sale. The Friedkin Group, the American consortium currently in charge, has officially confirmed that they are exploring options for new investments, including the possibility of selling a controlling stake in the club.
In December 2024, billionaire Dan Friedkin's group acquired a 98.8% stake in Everton from Farhad Moshiri, with the deal reportedly valued at over £400 million, though the final amount wasn’t disclosed.
The current owners are now prepared to consider offers for the club but are only willing to transfer control to an investor capable of lifting Everton to the next level, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein.
The club's announcement stated:
The Friedkin Group is exploring new investment options for Everton Football Club, including the potential sale of a controlling stake.
They reminded us that they purchased the club during a challenging financial period that required urgent investment and the completion of a new stadium.
The statement continued:
When TFG became owners of Everton, the club faced significant financial uncertainty and challenges both on and off the pitch.
Our primary goal has been to ensure the stability, investment, and support necessary for the club's future, including the completion of the long-awaited stadium.
However, relations between the owners and fans have been strained. Some supporters are unhappy with the lack of investment in the squad, transfer policies, and insufficient communication from the hierarchy.
One contentious decision was the summer sale of Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest.
Despite currently sitting in seventh place in the Premier League, Everton is still a long way off their former glories. Last season, the team finished in 13th and has not participated in European competitions for nearly a decade, with their last league title coming in 1987.
The last major trophy for the club remains the FA Cup, which they won back in 1995.
The Friedkin Group believes that with the finances stabilised, it’s time to think about the next stage of the club's development.
The owners emphasised:
Now that a solid foundation has been laid, the time has come to consider the next chapter in the history of Everton.
We will only consider offers from those who are genuinely prepared to take responsibility for the future of the club and who can develop the progress made.
In pursuit of potential investors, TFG has enlisted the financial services firm Moelis & Company.
Meanwhile, the American group has assured that they will continue to support Everton and have no intention of shirking their commitments to the club during negotiations.
Currently, it’s just a matter of finding investors and possibly selling, with no specific buyers identified yet, and a final decision on the change of ownership is yet to be made.
