Everton set for takeover deal but potential new owners face protests from angry fans
Everton's long-running takeover saga looks to be approaching its ending with The Friedkin Group inching closer to wrapping up a deal to buy out Farhad Moshiri's 94 percent stake in the Toffees
by Jacob Leeks · The MirrorPremier League strugglers Everton look set to be bought by The Friedkin Group (TFG) - but the Americans are already facing problems at Roma, a club they already own.
The Toffees have been on the market for some time, with Farhad Moshiri desperate to sell his 94 per cent stake in the club. Moshiri has previously held talks with KAM Group, MSP Sports Capital and 777 Partners but all of those potential deals collapsed.
Lyon owner and Crystal Palace investor John Textor has also been interested in buying out Moshiri. But it now appears that TFG have moved ahead of their American rival to take over the troubled Toffees.
It has been a miserable season for Sean Dyche's side, who sit second bottom of the Premier League without a win. But their spirits may now be boosted by the impending arrival of TFG.
According to The Athletic, the American group have made 'significant progress' in their bid to buy the Merseyside club. Just two months ago, they dramatically pulled out of talks but have no re-entered the race.
Everton owe £200million to TFG, with the group highlighting the club's other £400m of debt as their reason for pulling out of talks in July. The fact Textor already holds a 45 percent stake in Palace stalled his bid, allowing TFG to overtake him.
TFG had previously insisted its loan be repaid before Everton's takeover could be completed. The group is estimated to be worth around £4.5billion, though any deal to buy Everton remains subject to regulatory approval, which would be expected before the end of the year.
While Everton are facing difficulties, Toffees fans may well be concerned with TFG's stewardship of Roma. Since sacking Jose Mourinho in January, the Italian giants have been in turmoil.
Interim boss Daniele De Rossi was handed a three-year contract in April, with Roma then spending £88.7m during a chaotic summer transfer window. But the Italian legend was then sacked last week after opening the season with a four-game winless run in Serie A.
That decision came as a major shock and has not gone down well with the club's supporters. Some even marched on Roma's Trigoria training ground to demand CEO Lina Souloukou's exit and to protest De Rossi's sacking.
Souloukou duly resigned on Sunday, ahead of Ivan Juric's first game as De Rossi's replacement. Juric only found out about the news on TV and then faced a hostile home atmosphere as his side took on Udinese.
It was the first time Roma have not sold out a home match in 58 games, with the club's ultras spending the first half-hour of the game standing outside the ground and those inside singing De Rossi's name.
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