What Friedkin Group now plan next at Everton as new valuation shared

The Friedkin Group appear to have no immediate plans to fully sell up at Everton.

News broke after Everton's dreadful transfer deadline day that the American owners were looking to sell a minority stake in the Toffees.

It was implied it was with the intention of then fully selling up and moving on slightly further down the line.

The Friedkins came under criticism for their handling of Everton's transfer business, not least in the final hours of the window.

Around £80million was raised through the sales of Nathan Patterson, Iliman Ndiaye and Tim Iroegbunam.

But it is all part of a longer-term process for the Friedkins as a new update emerges out of Hill Dickinson Stadium.

What is 'Phase Two' for Friedkin Group at Everton?

Everton's failure to bring in Folarin Balogun only heightened the anger of supporters.

There was also the whole Harrison Armstrong saga, with the Friedkins happy to cash in to Nottingham Forest for £40million.

Supporter backlash saw an end to that, but it is not something Everton fans will forget.

According to a new update from Mark Douglas via The i Paper, sources say the Friedkin Group remain committed to Everton.

'Phase One' was about stabilising the Toffees, it is claimed, while the second phase is now about pushing on.

The Friedkins felt they effectively had no choice but to raise funds late in the window, even if they went about it badly.

And the Americans' decision to sell a minority stake is not linked to the fan backlash they faced in the summer.

How much do the Friedkins value Everton at?

The same report suggests the Friedkins value Everton around the £1billion mark.

This is considered a realistic number, with the recent £800m bid turned down by West Ham United - now a Championship side - cited.

While the Friedkins do not intend to sell up for £1bn, the minority stake will be sold using that figure on a pro-rata basis.

Everton fans may not like what they saw over the summer, but if it is part of a longer-term plan then that is more acceptable.

The proof will very much be in the pudding in January, with the Friedkins now under pressure to bring in new recruits for Everton to push on.