Everton takeover: Friedkin moving to sell ‘30% stake’ – Keith Wyness

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has revealed Dan Friedkin is moving to sell a stake of “around 30%” in AS Roma.

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 move could mean the US billionaire is looking to prioritise the Toffees in the long term.

Reports in February suggested a two-way bidding war is taking place between the Saudi Sovereign Investment Fund (PIF) and Saudi investor Turki Alalshikh for the purchase of Roma.

Friedkin bought the Italian club in 2020 and has come under recent fan backlash after sacking fan favourite Daniele De Rossi as manager.

Everton are in the process of being bought by the American after he agreed a deal to buy Farhad Moshiri’s 94.1% stake.

Friedkin could prioritise Everton after selling Roma stake, says Wyness

Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “We’ve been talking about this for a few weeks, the potential of Arab interest coming in.

“There have been a lot of rumours about Roma.

“Friedkin has been blowing hot and cold on this throughout the last 18 months.

“It does seem that there has been a move to sell a stake of around 30%, I’ve been told.

Everton
Credit: Getty Images

“In the end, that could mean that Friedkin is looking in the longer term to put his eggs in the Everton basket.

“That’s what it could mean, and I’d be very excited if that was the case.”

In other news, Everton respond to star’s plan to join new club.

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