Keith Wyness reveals when Friedkin’s Everton takeover will be completed
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed Dan Friedkin’s takeover on Merseyside could be wrapped up by mid-November.
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 – insisted there is “no doubt” Friedkin will “fit through the hoops” set out by the Premier League, Football Association and Financial Conduct Authority.
In bombshell news following John Textor’s interest, Everton announced on Monday (24 September) that an agreement over the terms of the sale of Farhad Moshiri’s 94% stake has been reached with The Friedkin Group.
The US investors had previously agreed a deal in principle in June before pulling out of the process due to concerns about money owed to 777 Partners.
The Friedkin Group is already a lender to the club after injecting £200million earlier this year.
Friedkin’s Everton takeover should be approved by mid-November, says Wyness
Wyness has backed the 59-year-old to be approved faster than Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who took control at Man United earlier this year.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “It was big news on Monday after big breakthroughs with the 777 situation and how that debt was going to be handled.
“Friedkin had already done the due diligence, he’d got £200million into the club.
“He knew everything was there but he had a few points he had to satisfy himself on.
“The club and Friedkin have announced it very happily, and we can now move on.
“In terms of timing, there are three authorities which have to be involved in the process.
“The Premier League are the main one, they have 10 points in their owners’ and directors’ test.
“I’ve got no doubt Friedkin will fit through all of those hoops.
“The FA, as the custodian of the game in England, will have a say. There is also the Financial Conduct Authority, and that should be a straightforward tick in the box.
“Ratcliffe was cleared at Man United in around 45 days. I think Friedkin will be quicker, I’m hopeful this could be done in mid-November.
“That would allow him to get in before the January transfer window, which is key. There’s a lot of relief around Merseyside at the moment.”
In other news, Dominic Calvert-Lewin update after deal agreed.
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