Ever since 777 Partners’ failed takeover of Everton, there have been a host of suitors approaching majority owner Farhad Moshiri and now HITC understands he has made his decision on who he hope will buy his stake in the club.
Moshiri had previously agreed terms with 777 to buy his 94% stake at Goodison Park, but that deal was dogged with issues from the outset with the main issue being the Premier League refusing to sanction their takeover.
In recent weeks Moshiri has been holding talks with numerous interested parties, but now sources have indicated to rival bidders that he has decided which group is being granted ‘exclusivity’ which allows one deal to progress.
Roma owner Dan Friedkin set to take charge at Goodison Park
HITC can now confirm that Moshiri has opted to do a deal with Roma owner Dan Friedkin.
We revealed earlier this week that US-based billionaire Friedkin had launched a bid to try and land Everton. Now he has emerged as in pole position in the race to take charge at Goodison Park.
Friedkin, worth over £7billion as per the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, is already involved in football as the owner of Italian giants Roma – who he bought in 2020.
The Friedkin Group most recently bought French lower league outfit Cannes as they become one of the latest multi-club ownership organisations within football.
And now they are on track to land one of the most historic names in English football as Moshiri is understood to be ready to come to agreement with Friedkin.
US billionaire preferred option for Everton
Friedkin has seen off intense competition to emerge as the preferred bidder for Everton.
The presumed favourites had been lifelong Everton fans Andy Bell and George Downing who mounted a joint bid to take charge and had secured the financial backing of their own US billionaire in the shape of Michael Dell – but that was not enough.
Another US billionaire who has come up short is John Textor – a minority shareholder at Premier League Crystal Palace, he was ready to sell his stake at Selhurst Park to try and to take charge at Everton, but he has been unsuccesful.
As has London-based Armenian Vatche Manoukian – who mounted a bid that was put together from Saudi Arabia and US investors.
Moshiri had also held talks with MSP Sports Capital and Advantage Capital – but neither of their proposals convinced him as Friedkin’s deal is expected to be finalised shortly.
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