Everton takeover could be completed ‘within two weeks’ – Keith Wyness
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has insisted a full takeover could be completed “within two weeks” after the Friedkin Group agreed a deal in principle.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – claimed the Premier League owners’ and directors’ test should be a “formality” for all the interested parties, but could take an additional six weeks.
Football Insider revealed on Wednesday (12 June) that Moshiri’s controlling stake in Everton is valued at just over £350million as he sounds out a new owner.
Dan Friedkin, who also owns Roma, is now strong favourite to purchase the Toffees after jumping ahead of four other bidders.
A decision over whether Friedkin wants to exercise the option of buying current owner Farhad Moshiri’s 94% stake could come by the weekend, with Friedkin thought to be flexible about the exact structure of any deal.
American businessman Friedkin, who has a reported net worth of £4.8bn, wants Serie A side Roma and Premier League club Everton to sit at the top of a multi-club model.
Moshiri is now expected to grant the group a period of exclusivity.
Moshiri must name preferred Everton bidder ‘within two weeks’, says Wyness
Friedkin has moved in front of four rival bidders, including UK-based investment firm Vici Private Finance, MSP Sports Capital, local businessmen Andy Bell and George Downing and a consortium involving a Saudi royal.
Everton chairman Moshiri previously struck a £500million takeover deal with 777 Partners to sell his 94% stake back in September 2023, but the US group were unable to finalise an agreement.
Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “I’d hope a preferred bidder is named in fairly short order, I’d say within the next two weeks.
“That alone would be enough to calm things down and let the club move forward.
“We’d then get an idea of the structure that group would be looking to impose.
“If they’re not John Textor, and they are not currently a Premier League owner – then they’ll have to go through the owners’ and directors’ test, which will take another six weeks.
“All those things should be a formality given the quality of bidders we’re talking about.
“I don’t think we’re really in a 777 situation again.
“I feel comfortable we can move ahead, but the main thing is stopping the speculation and beginning the process.
“It may take longer to get the transaction completed, but I’m hoping a preferred bidder will be named within two weeks.”
In other news, Everton now risk losing star man for nothing.
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