Friedkin Group granted exclusivity in bid to buy Everton FC
AS Roma owner, Daniel Friedkin, has been granted a period of exclusivity to undertake diligence in his bid to buy Everton FC.
The Premier League club announced late this afternoon (June 21) that 94.1% stakeholder, Farhad Moshiri, had granted the exclusivity deal.
It follows a similar period of exclusivity expiring at the end of last month for Miami-based 777 Partners after failing to find the funds to complete a purchase.
This was despite 777 being sole bidder since September last year, and investing around £200m in loans to the Merseyside club over the period towards its short term working capital.
A statement on the club website this afternoon said: “Blue Heaven Holdings (Moshiri’s vehicle) has received significant interest from several highly respected parties interested in investing in the club.
“The club can confirm today that a period of exclusivity has been granted to The Friedkin Group to progress discussions to acquire a majority shareholding in Everton.
“All parties will now work together to conclude this process. In the meantime, the club will continue to operate as normal.
“When there is further news to share, it will be provided via the club’s official communication channels.”
Monaco-based British-Iranian businessman Moshiri announced last September that he was selling his shareholding for around £500m and named 777 Partners as his preferred bidder.
In the meantime a clutch of other interested bidders has emerged, including local property developer George Downing and financier Andy Bell, US-based consortium MSP Sports Capital, a consortium of international investors which involves a member of the Saudi royal family which is said to have made a £400m offer, Vici Private Finance, a UK-based vehicle reported to be backed by two ‘western billionaires’, and, reportedly, US insurer, A-Cap, controlled by Kenneth King.
Crystal Palace owner, John Textor, ruled himself out of a possible bid last week.
Any bid accepted by Moshiri must still receive regulatory approval from the FA, the Financial Conduct Authority, and the Premier League.
Friedkin owns 95.97% of Italian Serie A side, AS Roma, which he acquired in August 2020 for $591m.
In May 2022, Roma won the inaugural edition of UEFA Europa Conference League, defeating Feyenoord in the final, under coach José Mourinho, who Friedkin appointed in 2021.
