Dan Friedkin reignites interest in Everton takeover

US billionaire and Roma owner could be tempted back to rival compatriot and Crystal Palace shareholder John Textor

Everton’s takeover saga has taken another twist as it emerged US billionaire Dan Friedkin is considering reviving his interest to rival Crystal Palace shareholder John Textor’s Goodison bid.
Friedkin ended a month-long period of exclusivity talks last July amid concerns about the level of debt at the Merseyside club and the various legal entanglements associated with the collapsed bid of previous suitors 777 Partners.
At the time, a joint-statement on behalf of the Friedkin Group and Everton affirmed that a period of exclusivity was over and negotiations would “not be progressing”.
But behind the scenes at Goodison Park, there has been optimism that Friedkin’s interest had cooled rather than completely ended and he might be tempted back to the negotiating table. It is unclear at this stage if Friedkin, 59, is maintaining a watching brief or readying a formal approach. 
Everton are offering no comment but it is clear they would welcome Friedkin’s return as there was deep disappointment at the club when he initially walked away.
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Textor has spoken publicly about his intent to sell his Selhurst Park stake and conclude a deal for Everton in November, making the timing of Friedkin’s mooted return – first reported by Bloomberg on Monday evening – intriguing.
Textor has claimed to be engaged in a period of exclusivity with Everton majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri – a suggestion which the club has not confirmed. Friedkin renewing contacts with Everton would undermine Textor’s recent public statement.
The AS Roma owner is understood to have been monitoring developments throughout the summer as Moshiri’s hunt for a buyer becomes increasingly desperate.
The Friedkin Group already retains an interest in Everton because during takeover talks they paid off a loan of £100 million to MSP Sports Capital which was helping to facilitate the new £500 million stadium, which will open for the 2025-26 season.
Another school of thought is sources close to Friedkin are tentatively issuing a reminder that there is still a deal to be done with an owner with a proven track record of reviving a major European club.
There has long been a feeling that only when Moshiri shows signs of being more realistic about the true value of the club given the ongoing financial pressures and the legacy he might leave regarding the numerous vested interests with a stake in the club’s future – especially regarding the stadium project at Bramley-Moore Dock – will he attract the right owner to propel the club forward.
Textor cannot progress with his bid until he sells his shares in Crystal Palace, although he is being described by those close to him as in pole position to take control from Moshiri and has been proactively sharing his vision for the future of the club.
Last week, Everton felt compelled to issue a statement correcting claims Textor was on the verge of sealing a deal, with the club’s interim chief executive Colin Chong insisting “there remains some work to be done to complete the transaction”.
Everton need a quick resolution and can ill afford the saga to drag on for the season. As well as the ongoing financial pressures off the field, time is of the essence with manager Sean Dyche and several senior players out of contract in 2025 Their futures cannot be resolved until a new owner with a long-term plan is in place.
Jamie Carragher