Everton Football Club is once again searching for new ownership after The Friedkin Group announced its intention to sell the Premier League side. The unexpected development comes just under two years after the American investment consortium finalized its takeover of the Merseyside club.
When TFG acquired a controlling stake of nearly one hundred percent in December 2024 for upwards of £400m, it brought an end to the turbulent financial era overseen by Farhad Moshiri. The arrival of the new owners was initially heralded as a fresh beginning, particularly with the club preparing to transition from historic Goodison Park to a modern stadium situated at Bramley Moore Dock.
However, the tenure of the current ownership has been defined by detachment and growing friction with the supporters. Reports indicate that Dan Friedkin, the chairman of TFG, has never once been present at an Everton fixture since the acquisition. Furthermore, relations deteriorated sharply following revelations that Friedkin had never communicated with manager David Moyes after the coach returned to the club in early 2025.
The tipping point arrived during a troubled summer transfer window that severely fractured the relationship between the fanbase and the board. Public outrage erupted when plans emerged to sell academy graduate Harrison Armstrong to Nottingham Forest for £40m. Although fan protests ultimately forced the leadership to scrap the transfer, the damage to their standing was already done.
Subsequent player departures further depleted the squad, including the sales of Iliman Ndiaye and striker Beto, while efforts to secure a replacement forward failed before the deadline. The resulting squad deficiencies left manager Moyes working with a severely limited pool of senior outfield players, deepening the sense of crisis at the club.
Financial pressures also contributed to the ownership's decision to exit. TFG was forced to provide millions to cover compensation owed to Burnley following a dispute over historical Profit and Sustainability Rule violations. Industry analysts suggest that unexpected regulatory costs and legal complexities caught the American investors off guard, diminishing their appetite for English football governance.
Market conditions may now offer the group an opportunity to exit profitably. Financial experts estimate that TFG will target a valuation between £750m and £800m to part ways with the club, while factoring in existing liabilities. Given the limited number of available teams in the top flight, high-value football assets continue to attract international investors looking for growth opportunities.
While TFG successfully delivered a degree of fiscal calm following years of instability under the previous regime, their brief period in charge will ultimately be remembered as distant, controversial, and prematurely cut short. The search for a buyer now opens another chapter of uncertainty for the historic club and its supporters.
Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC Sport. Read the original report at BBC Sport.
