The American owners of English Premier League club Everton are considering selling a controlling stake in the club less than two years after completing their takeover.
The Friedkin Group, a Texas-based investment firm, announced on Friday that it was exploring fresh investment opportunities for the Merseyside club, including the possible sale of a controlling interest.
The group, which also owns Italian Serie A side Roma, acquired 94.1 per cent of Everton from Farhad Moshiri in December 2024 for a reported £400m ($529m).
Under its ownership, the club also moved from Goodison Park to the new 53,000-capacity Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Explaining the decision to explore new ownership options, Everton said, “When TFG became custodians of Everton, the club faced significant financial uncertainty and challenges both on and off the pitch,” Everton’s statement said.
“With that foundation now safely in place, the time is right to consider the next chapter for Everton.
“We will only entertain interest from parties who we strongly believe will be the right stewards to take the club forward and build on the momentum that has been established.”
Everton have remained in the English top flight since 1954 and finished 13th in each of the last two Premier League seasons under manager David Moyes.
However, the club’s owners have faced criticism over their summer transfer business.
A proposed move for United States striker Folarin Balogun collapsed late in the transfer window, leaving Thierno Barry as Everton’s only recognised striker.
Concerns about the owners’ involvement also emerged in September when Moyes disclosed that he had never met or spoken to Dan Friedkin, chief executive of the Friedkin Group, who has yet to attend a home match.
Despite their recent struggles, Everton remain one of England’s most successful clubs, with nine top-flight league titles placing them fifth on the all-time list behind Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City.
However, the club’s most recent league title came in 1987, while their last major trophy was the FA Cup, which they won in 1995.
