American billionaire Dan Friedkin has joined a group of potential buyers interested in acquiring Premier League club Everton.
Friedkin, who owns Roma and has a net worth of £4.8bn, is vying for an exclusivity agreement to purchase majority owner Farhad Moshiri’s stake in the club.
The emergence of interested parties comes after the sales and purchase agreement with investment firm 777 partners collapsed in May.
The US-based consortium had agreed to purchase Moshiri’s share of the club in September 2023, but failed to meet the Premier League’s conditions of ownership according to report.
According to BBC Sport, MSP Sports Capital, along with local businessmen Andy Bell and George Downing, who have provided a loan of £158m to Everton, are also interested in taking over the club.
Other parties include Michael Dell, CEO of Dell Technologies, and Kenneth King from A Cap who are also reportedly involved in the potential takeover.
Additionally, John Textor, co-owner of Crystal Palace, has shown interest in purchasing Everton and is seeking to sell his 45% stake in the Eagles.
Increased competition among these investors could spell big changes for Everton shortly.
Everton have had a turbulent year, experiencing losses amounting to nearly £400m between 2019 and 2023.
As a result, the club was penalized with an eight-point deduction for violating the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Despite this setback, Sean Dyche’s team managed to secure Premier League survival, but they are still striving for improved stability as they work on constructing a new stadium.
Even though Everton are currently considering all options for future ownership amid their plight, the club will continue to operate as normal in the meantime according to BBC Sport.
It remains to be seen if incumbent owner Moshiri will stick with a familiar face and extend exclusivity to one of the potential buyers, or take a gamble and see if he can drum up some competition to drive up the price for Everton.
About Dan Friedkin
Dan Friedkin is an American businessman and the owner of the Italian football club AS Roma.
Friedkin purchased AS Roma in August 2020, becoming the majority owner of the club. Friedkin has expressed his passion for soccer and his commitment to building a successful and competitive team.
Under his ownership, AS Roma has seen improvements in both on-field performance and off-field operations.
He is the chairman and CEO of The Friedkin Group, a diversified consortium of businesses that includes film production, automotive, entertainment, hospitality, and sports and agriculture.
The 59-year-old is a seasoned pilot of vintage military aircraft, having flown in aerobatic air shows globally with the United States Air Force and the Horsemen P-51 Flight Team.
Additionally, he is an entrepreneur who has designed and operates multiple golf courses in the USA, all while dedicating himself to wildlife conservation efforts in East Africa.
Friedkin also serves as the chairman of Auberge Resorts Collection, a prestigious collection of luxury resorts, hotels, and vacation properties located worldwide.
Friedkin’s Net Worth
As of December 2023, the 59-year-old American tycoon had an estimated net worth of £4.8bn billion.
