A general view of Goodison Park home of Everton
Everton are in the middle of a takeover process, with The Friedkin Group waiting on Premier League approval (Photo by Dave Howarth - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Everton's search for new ownership is almost at an end. Getting ever closer to the club's expected completion date, all that stands in the way of The Friedkin Group (TFG) acquiring ownership is Premier League approval.
After initially ending talks in July, on September 23 it was announced that AS Roma owners TFG had settled a deal with Farhad Moshiri to purchase his 94.1 percent majority shareholding of the football club.
A joint statement read: "Blue Heaven Holdings and The Friedkin Group confirm that they have reached agreement over the terms of the sale of Blue Heaven Holdings' majority stake in Everton Football Club. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval, including from the Premier League, the Football Association, and the Financial Conduct Authority."
The process has been underway to complete the takeover ever since, with Everton anticipating everything to be finalised before the end of 2024. The target has always been to wrap up the deal by Christmas.
Sky Sports have freshly reported that the Premier League have handed their approval - one of the last crucial steps - however the ECHO understands this is not yet the case.
Stick here with our blog for live updates throughout the day.
13:10James Quinlan
Sean Dyche drops major Everton takeover hint as contract situations addressed
Speaking on Thursday - so before Sky's lunchtime claim today - Everton manager Sean Dyche said that it's looking 'very possible' that The Friedkin Group will soon complete their takeover of the club.
He was speaking in the context of the club's 13 players with contracts due to expire at the end of the 2024/25 season. Amongst those are captain Seamus Coleman, Ashley Young, Michael Keane, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Idrissa Gueye and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
"We’ve got to wait and see, what the new owners want to do and what their situation is should they take the club, which is looking very possible like it’s going to happen, but until it’s done, it’s not done, so we’ve got to wait and see," the boss said.
13:06Chris Beesley
Takeover hope
As mentioned, following that report from Sky Sports' Alan Myers, I spoke to a representative of the Friedkin Group, who told me the takeover is expected to be finalised before the end of the calendar year.
It was pretty strong stuff given that they've been cagy throughout and insistent they wouldn't be providing a running commentary or blow by blow account of all this.
Click here for the full story.
12:47James Quinlan
Good afternoon
Hello, Blues!
Welcome to the ECHO's Everton live blog, where today we will be covering the club's prospective takeover by The Friedkin Group (TSG).
Sky Sports have reported that the Premier League have given their approval for AS Roma's US owners to complete their transaction.
They wrote: "The Friedkin Group have secured approval from the Premier League to become the new owners of Everton, Sky Sports News understands.
"TFG has been undergoing the regulatory process since agreeing a deal to purchase Farhad Moshiri's 94.1 per cent shareholding in the club. The takeover is now expected to be finalised next week."
However, sources close to TFG have subsequently told the ECHO that the league have not yet approved. They still remain positive about mid-December and they are not expecting the process to drag into 2025.
With hope that this will soon change, make sure to stick around as we provide updates on the takeover.