Everton confirm collapse of takeover talks with Friedkin Group

Everton have confirmed the collapse of takeover talks with The Friedkin Group.

The Friedkin Group, who also own Roma, entered into a period of exclusivity with Everton almost a month ago following 777 Partners' failure to meet the Toffees' deadline to complete a purchase which had been in the pipeline for close to nine months.

Everton owner Farhad Moshiri hoped that The Friedkin Group would be able to seal a swift agreement to buy the club but their period of exclusivity has now ended without a deal.

"Following a period of exclusivity, discussions between Blue Heaven Holdings and The Friedkin Group over a potential sale of a majority stake in Everton have ended and The Friedkin Group will not be progressing with a purchase of the Club," a statement read.

"Both Blue Heaven Holdings and The Friedkin Group entered discussions in good faith to explore whether a sale could be agreed. Those discussions have concluded. The parties agree it is in both their interests for Everton to explore alternative options."

According to The Athletic, concerns over Everton's £200m debt to 777, who provided a series of loans to the club last season before the group entered insolvency, was behind The Friedkin Group's decision to walk away from talks.

The Friedkin Group have also lent Everton £200m to help repay debts to MSP Sports Capital and the company behind the construction of the new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium, Laing O’Rourke.

Those debts are reported to total around £600m, alongside a £450m debt to Moshiri which Everton's majority shareholder has now effectively accepted will never be repaid.

Everton posted £400m losses between 2019 and 2023 and were hit with a points deduction last season for breaching Profit & Sustainability Rules.

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