Friedkin Group explores Everton controlling-stake sale amid investment review

Everton's owner, The Friedkin Group, is considering selling a controlling stake in the club as part of a review of investment options, according to a statement reported by ITV News on Friday. The announcement leaves a change of ownership as a possibility rather than a completed transaction, with the group saying any prospective buyer must be suitable to take Everton forward.

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The American group acquired Farhad Moshiri's 94% holding in December 2024 through its UK investment vehicle, Roundhouse Capital, ITV reported. The current review therefore comes less than two years after that takeover. In its statement, the owner described financial uncertainty and difficulties on and off the field when it arrived, saying its initial work had focused on stabilising the club and helping complete its stadium.

The review follows a summer in which the group's leadership faced scrutiny. BBC Sport reported that David Moyes said in September he had neither met nor spoken to chairman Dan Friedkin since returning as Everton manager in January 2025. Friedkin is based in Houston, while his son-in-law Rishi Majithia handles the club's day-to-day operation alongside chief executive Angus Kinnear.

Transfer decisions also drew criticism from supporters. According to BBC Sport, Everton accepted a £40m offer from Nottingham Forest for England Under-19 midfielder Harrison Armstrong before withdrawing from the deal. Fans subsequently remained frustrated by Beto's departure for Fiorentina, which left 23-year-old French forward Thierno Barry as the squad's only recognisable striker.

On the pitch, Everton are seventh in the Premier League after seven matches, BBC Sport reported. The club opened its new stadium last year, one of the priorities the ownership identified when explaining why it was now considering a further change. The announcement comes with that stadium move completed but the ownership review still unresolved.

The Friedkin Group pledged to keep supporting sporting success and its work in the communities Everton serves throughout the process, ITV reported. It also said neither the group nor the club would comment further while the review was under way.