Everton takeover fears emerge in Italy, 50% boost to finances predicted - report

Roma fans are concerned about Dan Friedkin’s decision to buy Everton from Farhad Moshiri, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Italian outlet reported on their website (17 June) that the Serie A side’s supporters have fears for the future over the American’s plan to takeover at Goodison Park, despite him making it known informally that he has no plans to divest from his interests in Italy where the club is said to remain central to his family’s plans.

But there is uncertainty over the fact that Friedkin is buying a club of a similar significance in the Toffees, which arguably is even more important historically than Roma, an issue that isn’t present with his ownership of Cannes in France.

The fact that Everton have nine English titles to the Giallorossi’s three, Premier League revenues are far higher than Serie A’s, and that the new Bramley Moore Dock stadium is majority complete while Roma’s hasn’t even started are all contributing to anxiety that the newest purchase could end up overshadowing the Italian capital.

And although Roma won a European trophy two years ago there is a feeling that with a new ground and some improved performances on the pitch under Friedkin the Everton turnover could grow by as much as 50% in the coming years, overtaking that of the prospective sister club by a long way.

So if both of Friedkin’s clubs end up in in UEFA competition there are fears that he may choose to focus on the greater earning power of the Toffees.

Dan Friedkin expected to takeover Everton from Farhad Moshiri

The potential complications in European competitions down the line were seen as a barrier to Friedkin winning the race to buy Everton in the first place [Talking the Blues, 8 June].

So the fact that he has decided to push on and seemingly convince Moshiri that he is the man to sell to anyway makes it understandable that Roma fans might be feeling uneasy at the prospect.

The prospect of the Toffees getting back into Europe is a long way down the line yet, when just a successful takeover deal and a season without relegation danger and financial turmoil would be a relief for Evertonians right now.

But it is clear there is huge potential at the club if run correctly and the new stadium has long been tipped as a major target for buyers, while the financial might of the Premier League dwarfs most competitors.

On the other side of that it also requires huge investment in the squad to compete at the top end, but Friedkin clearly sees a big opportunity on Merseyside to have pushed ahead of four rival bidders to become Moshiri’s preferred option.

Assuming he doesn’t go the way of both 777 Partners and MSP Sports Capital before him in seeing attempts to buy shares fall through he would appear on paper to be able to bring the sort of stability Everton have been crying out for under Moshiri for years.

But if there is a clash between the Toffees and Roma on the cards down the line and UEFA decide to take a harder line on multi-club models then it could mean Friedkin would look to sell on again if he is indeed committed to Roma above all.

In other Everton news, a club are now in ongoing negotiations over a move to buy a star Toffees player.

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