Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed a potential Friedkin Group takeover is not completely dead yet.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – insisted he “genuinely believes” Dan Friedkin wants to purchase the Merseyside club after a visit in the due diligence process.
‘RECORD BREAKING’ – Keith…
Everton confirmed last week (19 July) that the Friedkin Group will not be progressing with a purchase of the club despite entering a period of exclusivity.
It has been reported (via The Athletic, 19 July) that the breakdown is due to the £200million+ owed to stricken investors 777 Partners, who are involved in a legal fight in the US.
Friedkin, who is also owner at Serie A outfit Roma, has a net worth of around £4.8billion (as per Forbes).
Friedkin could yet return to Everton takeover – ‘I do believe he wants to do this’, says Wyness
Wyness claimed the collapse could be a “negotiating tactic” or suggested the US businessman could sensationally return to the deal together with other creditors of the club.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “There are ways around this, it just depends on the appetite.
“Friedkin has got a record of dropping out of the bidding for Roma, before coming back.
“This could be a negotiating tactic, and that would be fair enough.
“He could also team up with the other creditors, like Rights and Media Funding, and work together to squeeze and restructure the creditors.
“Either way, it’s a cloudy mess and Friedkin has sent a clear signal – and I completely understand him.
“I genuinely believe he wants to do it.
“I know that him and his team were very impressed when they came over, looked at the stadium and met the staff.
“I do believe they want to do this.”
In other news, West Ham ready to swoop for Everton star man after twist.
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