The Friedkin Group (TFG) is set to complete its takeover of Everton with an official announcement expected on Thursday.
TFG reached an agreement to purchase Farhad Moshiri’s 94 per cent stake in the Merseyside club back in September, subject to regulatory approval, including from the Premier League, Football Association, and Financial Conduct Authority.
Multiple sources with knowledge of the matter, not authorised to speak publicly, have told The Athletic that the process is now in its final stages with all that remains now being notification that all official documentation has been completed.
An announcement will then follow with representatives from TFG in the UK and likely to attend the Premier League match with Chelsea at Goodison Park on Sunday.
Everton and representatives of TFG have been approached for comment.
The Athletic first revealed that Friedkin, the owner of Italian side AS Roma, was a frontrunner to buy the club back in June.
Friedkin went on to pull out of exclusive talks with Moshiri in July, with those close to the process citing concerns over Everton’s debt, before American businessman John Textor emerged as the new favourite.
The Athletic reported that Textor, the owner of Lyon had entered into negotiations with Moshiri over a deal. That move, though, was complicated by Textor’s Eagle Football Group holding a 45 per cent stake in Crystal Palace, with Premier League rules preventing parties from holding an interest in any two member clubs.
Friedkin then returned to the table with the group, which made money through its subsidiary Gulf States Toyota before branching into other spheres including film and entertainment, having reported revenues of $13billion (£10.2bn) for the last financial year.
It represents the end of a drawn out process that began with Moshiri entertaining offers for his holding in the club in 2022.
Since then the British-Iranian businessman has entered into exclusive talks with the KAM Group, MSP Sports Capital and Miami’s 777 Partners before Friedkin’s agreement in September.
On the field Everton sit 16th in the Premier League table, three points above the relegation zone.
Additional reporting: Matt Slater
(Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
