Everton owners open to full sale less than two years after takeover

Everton owners open to full sale less than two years after takeover Everton could undergo another ownership change after The Friedkin Group indicated they would consider selling its controlling stake in the club. The American investment group, which completed its takeover in December 2024, has been exploring opportunities to attract fresh investment. According to The Athletic , discussions initially centred on selling a minority stake to strategic investors, but the owners are now also open to relinquishing full control. The owners are reportedly comfortable retaining control and continuing to finance the club until a suitable investor emerges. The development comes less than two years after the Houston-based group purchased Farhad Moshiri’s 94 percent stake through its investment vehicle, Roundhouse Capital. That takeover ended a prolonged period of financial uncertainty following several unsuccessful attempts to secure new ownership. Previous negotiations involving 777 Partners, MSP Sports Capital and the KAM Group had collapsed before The Friedkin Group completed its acquisition. The American owners subsequently prioritised stabilising Everton’s finances, including restructuring expensive debt and securing more favourable borrowing arrangements. Some of those loans were backed by the club’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium, which has become central to Everton’s commercial ambitions. The Friedkin Group believes those improvements have made Everton a more attractive investment proposition than when it assumed control. The club has already attracted minority investment through Roundhouse Capital, with former Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd and American billionaire Christopher Sarofim among those involved. Nevertheless, questions about Everton’s long-term direction intensified following a difficult summer transfer window. The Toffees sold approximately £100 million worth of players and reportedly recorded a net profit of around £25m from their transfer activity. Their attempts to strengthen the squad were frustrated when a proposed £45m move for Monaco striker Folarin Balogun collapsed. Everton also faced supporter opposition to the potential £40m departure of academy graduate Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest, with the transfer ultimately abandoned. Ainsley Maitland-Niles, signed from Lyon for approximately €5m, was their only deadline-day arrival. The Friedkin Group’s wider sporting interests include Roma and AS Cannes. They are also pursuing plans to establish an NHL franchise in Houston, with the proposed investment reportedly worth around $3.5 billion. Despite their willingness to consider offers, there is no indication that Everton’s owners are actively seeking an immediate exit. Any eventual sale would depend on finding an investor who can support the club’s financial stability and ambitions for sustained Premier League progress.