Friedkin Group explores sale of controlling Everton stake

What Everton confirmed

Everton said it would only entertain interest from parties it strongly believes will be the right stewards to take the club forward. The statement, released on Friday, 9 October, said The Friedkin Group is exploring new investment options for Everton, 'including the potential sale of a controlling interest.' The Athletic reported that discussions initially centred on selling a minority stake to strategic investors, but the owners are now also open to relinquishing full control. Yahoo Sports reported there is no indication the owners are actively seeking an immediate exit.

The Friedkin Group bought Farhad Moshiri's 94% stake in December 2024 through its UK investment vehicle, Roundhouse Capital. The takeover ended a period of financial uncertainty after earlier negotiations involving 777 Partners, MSP Sports Capital and the KAM Group collapsed. The owners said their immediate priority had been to provide stability and investment, including helping to complete the long-promised stadium. They said that foundation was 'safely in place' and the time was right to consider Everton's next chapter.

The funding bill for a buyer

The Esk, an Everton finance writer, estimated the club's equity value at around £360m, the centre of a £270m to £455m range, Yahoo Sports reported. That range was lower than an earlier estimate of around £400m because of £35.1m in compensation, plus accruing interest, owed to Burnley. From this season to 2030-31, Everton need approximately £450m in further owner equity, money that would have to come directly from whoever is in charge, according to The Esk.

The same report said the club's statutory loss was £53.2m in 2023-24 and £8.6m the following campaign. Its underlying loss after the 2024-25 season stood at £57.8m, excluding internal sales.

A summer of sales and frustration

Yahoo Sports reported that Everton sold approximately £100m worth of players in the summer window and reportedly recorded a net profit of around £25m from that transfer activity. Goal listed Beto and Iliman Ndiaye among the players offloaded. Reports said a proposed £45m move for Monaco striker Folarin Balogun collapsed and that Everton abandoned a proposed £40m sale of academy graduate Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest after supporters protested. Ainsley Maitland-Niles, signed from Lyon for about €5m, was Everton's only deadline-day arrival, Yahoo Sports reported. On the pitch, the side avoided defeat in each of its first five Premier League matches of the season, the Dispatch reported.

The stadium as a selling point

Everton opened Hill Dickinson Stadium at the start of the 2025-26 Premier League season, with the women's team becoming the primary tenant of Goodison Park, the Dispatch reported. Football Insider reported the new ground holds more than 52,000. Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness told the outlet that The Friedkin Group is likely to pitch stadium expansion to any potential buyer. Wyness said the site's boundaries are tight because the ground was built on a reclaimed dock, making expansion 'very tricky.' He added that he does not think the Friedkins will tackle expansion themselves and will leave it to the next owners.

What happens next

Stefan Borson, a former Manchester City financial adviser, told Football Insider on Saturday that a full takeover could take more than six months, even if the next buyers are already at the table. The Athletic reported that the owners are comfortable retaining control and continuing to finance the club until a suitable investor emerges. Everton and The Friedkin Group said they will not comment further while the work is underway. Any sale would depend on finding an investor who can support the club's financial stability and its ambitions for sustained Premier League progress.