Brighton exit: Paul Barber could seal Everton appointment in Friedkin twist

The Friedkin Group are considering hiring Brighton chief executive Paul Barber to fill their current vacancy at Everton, according to the Daily Mail.

The newspaper reported in its print edition (27 January, page 61) that TFG are looking to appoint a CEO before selecting a new chairman, as their boardroom transformation continues differently.

Barber is one of three key names being considered by the Blues' new owners alongside former Arsenal CEO Vinai Venkatesham and Fulham's Alistair Mackintosh, albeit the latter is said to be settled in London.

Everton can rub salt in Brighton wounds with Paul Barber capture

It's arguable that since their introduction to the Premier League back in 2017, few top-flight clubs can say that they're run better than Brighton, with the Toffees certainly down at the lower end of that table.

With Farhad Moshiri's reckless tenure now finally over though, the Friedkins are looking to re-rail the Blues both on and off the pitch, and hiring one of Brighton's key figures would be a huge statement.

Despite several names being mooted, TFG are yet to land on a new CEO to take the reins at Goodison Park and Bramley-Moore Dock thereafter, with Colin Chong currently operating on an interim basis [Joe Thomas, 28 December].

Barber has played a massive role in Brighton becoming one of the Premier League's most attractive destinations for any player, and that's exactly what Dan Friedkin and co want the Toffees to become.

Brighton could continue their current trajectory forever more, but they'll still struggle to ever become a bigger club than Everton, and that could well sway Barber towards a high-profile move to Merseyside.

In other Everton news, Jamie O'Hara labelled one aspect of the Blues' victory over Brighton on Saturday as "embarrassing".

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