Everton takeover update as 3rd party in the running against John Textor and Dan Friedkin
Everton still have a third party in the running for a takeover as well as John Textor and Dan Friedkin, according to Alan Myers.
The Sky Sports journalist responded via X on 19 September to report that there is still another interest involved but it is unlikely they will be successful.
Myers had reported earlier the same evening that a deal between Farhad Moshiri to sell to American Textor is expected to be agreed “very soon”.
The part-Crystal Palace owner has been the frontrunner since shortly after compatriot Freidkin abandoned his own bid in July, although Bloomberg reported on 16 September that the Roma boss had reignited his interest.
Farhad Moshiri close to Everton deal with John Textor
The Friedkin Group’s re-emergence in the active takeover race has been played down by insiders in their camp [i News, 17 September], but they have necessarily remained in the picture since lending £200million to the club in the summer during their period of exclusivity.
That cash needs to be paid off immediately if Textor is to succeed [The Athletic, 13 September], although he must also sell his 45 per cent holding at Selhurst Park before he can hope to gain Premier League approval.
There may be a third party lurking in the shadows but barring something drastic, which can never truly be ruled out with the Toffees ownership situation, they don’t look like to be major players at this stage.
Textor was said to believe he could seal an agreement with Moshiri by mid-October [Guardian, 10 September], and then gave an interview to Myers for Sky Sports on 12 September in which he expressed his optimism of securing a deal.
Whether Friedkin is truly back in the running or not the latest update would seem to back up Textor’s claims, although that is arguably only the start of the real challenge.
He is the fifth to reach this stage of talks with Moshiri, with predecessor Friedkin backing out over complications relating to the debt owed to his own predecessor 777 Partners [The Athletic, 19 July].
The Friedkin Group told The Esk (20 July) that the issues facing the process were “unresolvable”, and until Textor sells up at Palace he won’t get a full view of the finances on Merseyside, so he may yet have a surprise in store.
Exiting from the Eagles itself has proven easier said than done so far, although he told Myers he has two strong bids to do so and now appears to be making progress with Moshiri.
In other Everton news, a Toffees player is expected to resume talks with another club at the end of the season, he already said yes to them.
For more Everton news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.