Everton sale explained: What happens next for the Friedkins, Moyes and the club?

An Everton sale is now a possibility after The Friedkin Group confirmed it is exploring investment options, including giving up control of the club.

The announcement comes less than two years after the American group completed its takeover in December 2024. It has raised immediate questions about who could take over, how long the process might last and what it means for David Moyes.

There is no announced buyer or agreed transaction in Friday’s statement. The owners have opened a process which could lead to a change of control.

For supporters, the next developments will need to provide more detail about the proposed investment and the plans behind it.

What has been announced about an Everton sale?

The Friedkin Group says it is examining new investment options, including the potential sale of a controlling interest.

That wording leaves more than one possible outcome. New investment could arrive while the group remains in control, or an agreement could transfer control to another owner.

In its statement, reproduced by Football Italia, the group said its initial priorities had been stabilising Everton and helping complete the stadium.

It believes the club is now in a position to consider its next phase and says it will assess prospective investors on their suitability to take Everton forward.

The statement also pledges continued support during the process.

Who is buying Everton?

No buyer has been identified in the announcement.

Investment bank Moelis & Company has been retained by The Friedkin Group. Its involvement should not be confused with a bid to purchase Everton: it is advising on the process.

There are several distinctions to watch as reports develop. An interested party is not necessarily a bidder. A submitted offer is not an accepted offer, and an agreement can still be subject to conditions before completion.

That makes the source and wording of any subsequent announcement important.

Supporters will want to know who would ultimately control the club, how a proposed purchase would be funded and what resources would remain available to support Everton afterwards.

Those questions cannot yet be answered from a named ownership proposal.

What would a change of control involve?

A prospective purchaser would need to agree terms with the current owners and examine the business being acquired.

That examination, commonly called due diligence, would normally cover matters such as finances, liabilities, contracts and ongoing commitments.

The structure of any deal would matter as much as the headline price. Buying shares from an existing owner and putting new money into the club are different transactions, although an agreement can involve both.

Football approval would also form part of the process.

When the Friedkins acquired Everton in 2024, the Premier League confirmed that its board had approved the transaction following the Owners’ and Directors’ Test, with ratification by an Independent Oversight Panel.

An announcement that parties have agreed a deal should therefore be read alongside any conditions or approvals still outstanding.

How much could Everton cost?

Sky Sports’ Alan Myers has said he believes the Friedkins are seeking between £800m and £1bn.

That is a reported expectation, rather than a confirmed sale price.

Large takeover figures also require explanation. A valuation may account for debt as well as the value of the shares changing hands, making comparisons difficult unless the basis is clear.

For supporters, the eventual purchase price would answer only part of the question.

The more practical issue would be how a new ownership group intended to fund the club after completing the transaction, including its football operations and longer-term commitments.

What does it mean for David Moyes?

Moyes said on Friday that he had only learned of the development that morning.

“I only found out this morning myself along with everybody else,” he said, as reported by Sky Sports.

Our report on Moyes’ reaction to the Everton sale plans covers his surprise and concern for supporters facing another period of uncertainty.

The announcement does not establish a change to his position or identify a future owner’s football plans.

Until there is a concrete proposal, predictions about managerial changes would be speculation. Moyes still has the immediate task of preparing his team while the ownership process develops separately.

Will it change Everton’s transfer plans?

Friday’s statement contains a commitment to support the club, but it does not set out a transfer budget.

It would therefore be premature to promise a spending increase or conclude that recruitment will stop.

A potential takeover creates practical questions about who approves commitments and what funding is available while negotiations continue. Those are matters Everton would need to manage alongside their existing football plans.

Supporters should look for specific decisions and commitments as evidence of the owners’ approach.

When could a sale happen?

No completion date has been announced.

The timetable would depend on finding an acceptable investor, agreeing the terms, completing checks and securing the necessary approvals. A process can also end without a sale.

The next meaningful milestones would be a credible bidder being identified, an agreement being announced and clarity over any remaining conditions.

Until then, The Friedkin Group remains responsible for Everton. Its promise of continued support will be judged through the club’s decisions while the search for investment proceeds.