Simon Jordan believes that the Friedkin Group’s proposed takeover of Everton is “a done deal”
The Friedkin Group’s proposed takeover of Everton is “a done deal” but they face some significant challenges when taking charge of the Blues reckons former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan. After previously ending takeover talks back in July, the Friedkin Group’s agreement came on September 23 as 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.”
Although no timescale has been publicly discussed by either party, sources close to the deal are hopeful that the Friedkin Group, who already own Italian side Roma, should get the green light from the relevant parties, including the Premier League board, by December. Speaking on the matter on talkSPORT, Jordan said: “Well, they’ve bought the debt. So, they’re in the game.
“They’re seriously, significantly well-funded. My friend George Downing, who put a lot of money into Everton, knows the Friedkins and knows Dan Friedkin, because ultimately, he got his money paid back by him.
READ MORE: Armando Broja hands Everton injury boost and four other things spotted at trainingREAD MORE: Alan Shearer shares Jose Mourinho and Everton theory after ‘subliminal message’ and new tirade
“So, the bottom line is that these guys have serious money. But then so did Moshiri, or Usmanov, or whoever’s money it was.
“It’s not about how much money you’ve got, it’s about how you deploy it. It will be interesting to see what they do with Everton because it hasn’t been an unprecedented success at Roma, it’s been a battle for them, a challenge for them.
“It will be interesting to see if they divest themselves of Roma with preference to Everton or go down this well-trodden path, which seems to be ridiculous in my mind, of multi-club ownership, because it brings competitive jeopardy into the equation. But I think it’s a done deal, I think Friedkin will own Everton.”
