Everton takeover: Keith Wyness ‘absolutely thrilled’ as £200m details emerge
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed he is “absolutely thrilled” to see Dan Friedkin plough £200million of investment into the club just days after striking a deal with Farhad Moshiri.
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 – suggested the American is “very insistent” and believes “actions speak louder than words”.
As per The Athletic (24 June), documents filed with Companies House confirm Friedkin has already repaid the £158million balance on a loan owed to MSP Sports Capital, taking over the charge on the holding company for Everton’s new stadium.
The American billionaire has also provided funds of around £40million to help with day-to-day running costs at Goodison Park after securing an exclusivity agreement to buy Moshiri’s majority stake – already taking his total investment to around £200million.
777 Partners were asked to complete a similar investment by the Premier League for their bid to be ratified but were unable to do so, opening the door for other parties last month.
Friedkin has already made ‘great show of faith’ at Everton, says Wyness
Wyness hailed Friedkin for a “great show of faith”, insisting he is on the “right track” to complete a quick buyout.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “I’m absolutely thrilled.
“They’ve always been very insistent during their dealings at Roma. They believe actions speak louder than words.
“They were never ones to come out and make great statements about where they will take the club, they just did it. We’re seeing that now at Everton.
“There is still a way to go before this deal is approved.
“But this is a big bit of action and a great show of faith. Everyone will be pleased to see this.
“They’ve done it promptly. It was one of the conditions imposed on 777, and this shows Friedkin is willing to satisfy all those conditions – if not more.
“It’s never plain sailing in a transaction like this, but this shows we are on the right track.”
In other news, Everton close to signing midfielder after he responds to offer.
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