Dan Friedkin Everton takeover resurrection pondered amid ‘dubious’ verdict

Dan Friedkin’s takeover of Everton collapsing may not mean the deal is necessarily dead and buried, according to Alex Crook.

 

Speaking on talkSPORT with Sam Matterface on 22 July (11:47), the journalist said that Friedkin’s reason for pulling out of the deal, owing to concerns over 777 Partners, could be one way of securing a reduced price.

The Friedkin Group withdrew from takeover talks on 19 July after entering an exclusivity period with majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri, despite having already paid off existing loans to other parties.

 

When quizzed by Matterface on the collapse, Crook said: “I think you’re right to be a bit dubious, on whether or not this is simply a negotiating tactic from Dan Friedkin.

 

“I was told right at the start of the process, when he agreed exclusivity with Farhad Moshiri, that actually it would be Friedkin who decided whether to progress with the deal or not.

Dan Friedkin takeover resurrection at Everton looks unlikely

Regardless of the theories implied by Crook and Matterface, Friedkin re-entering talks to reignite his takeover bid doesn’t seem to be a possibility at present, despite committing over £200million to the club (Liverpool Echo).

Ultimately it was reported that there were fears over the money lent to Everton from 777 and the issues the Miami-based firm is undergoing, with their own agreement with Moshiri expiring earlier this year [The Times, 31 May].

And now Friedkin’s bid has come unstuck too, as Everton insider Bryan King exclusively told Goodison News on 7 July, that the takeover hit a “stumbling block” due to the money that was owed to 777.

Therefore, the Toffees are now back in the depths of uncertainty similar to those that blighted their 2023/24 campaign, although this time around, financial fair play regulations appear to have been met.

 

But with the ship still being rudderless at the top and no telling on if a sensational U-turn from Friedkin will eventually come to pass, takeover talks now appear to be back to square one at Goodison Park.

 

In other Everton news, Tony Bellew shared his admiration for Sean Dyche after last season’s escape from relegation.

 

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