Stability has been a rare commodity for the blue half of Merseyside in the last decade or so – but that’s what Everton appeared to be getting when The Friedkin Group bought the club in December 2024 and hired David Moyes to steer them clear of relegation.
It has proved to be a mirage, though, with the American owners this month announcing their intention to sell the club not two years after completing their takeover.
To make matters worse, Moyes was left frustrated in the summer transfer window after missing out on several key targets, being given no replacement for the departing Beto and seeing the owners cash in on star man Iliman Ndiaye for a cut-price £65million.
The Toffees have had an OK start in the league with two wins, four draws and two defeats – so where does the land lie going into a busy period in multiple competitions? Our Merseyside man LEWIS STEELE answers the big questions…
What’s the latest on the Friedkins’ attempt to sell?
Everton are not expecting a protracted and drawn-out process like we saw when Farhad Moshiri was getting out of the club.
It is only a few weeks since TFG announced their intention to sell, but a number of interested parties have come to the table. At the moment, those in charge are in the process of sorting out the serious players from the pretenders.
Dan Friedkin never showed much interest in Everton and has not even attended a match – despite going to games of his other club, Roma
Michael Dell (right), the fourth-richest man in the world, has previously been linked with buying Everton
One linked group is the Dell family, led by Michael Dell, who was also reported to be interested in 2024 – though those claims were played down at the time.
Houston-born Dell, 61, the founder, chairman and CEO of Dell Technologies, was today listed as the fourth-richest person in the world by Forbes. He owns five per cent of the Las Vegas Raiders NFL franchise.
Is it a surprise they are looking to get out already?
It did not come as a huge surprise given the whispers and the lack of interest TFG clearly had in the club, but Angus Kinnear, Everton’s chief executive, was only told an hour or so before the news went public.
TFG believe they have reached their targets sooner than first expected, stabilised the business and want new owners to take the club to the next level. There is positivity at Finch Farm that the owners have made a proactive decision and not clung on past their sell-by date.
It was clear that TFG, including Dan Friedkin, were not overly emotionally invested in the club. While he has attended games of his other team Roma, Friedkin has still not been to an Everton match despite visiting the UK several times.
Everton are a much more attractive purchase now than they were in 2024. They have a swanky new waterfront stadium that can generate extra revenue from different sporting events, has much more sophisticated corporate facilities than Goodison Park and will be a host venue for Euro 2028.
There is a young squad that can grow together and it feels like Everton are only two or three players away from making a serious push for Europe. Financially, the club is in a much healthier position than for the majority of the last decade.
In an era where it is tough to buy an NFL or NBA franchise, American billionaires might fancy a Premier League club and Everton are an attractive proposition.
Everton are a much more attractive proposition than they were in 2024. They have a swanky new waterfront stadium that can generate extra revenue
If they don’t find a buyer before January, can Everton spend in the transfer window?
Yes. I am told there is no change of plans as far as January transfers go.
The club know they need to sign a striker as the No 1 priority and are actively looking at targets. Moyes would ideally like a No 9 plus at least one additional player through the door in the new year.
What does the uncertainty mean for the future of players like Jarrad Branthwaite?
Manchester United retain an interest in Branthwaite, having made several bids two summers ago when Everton rightly stood firm. But Daily Mail Sport understands United are very keen on Branthwaite again now.
Other top clubs are attentive to his situation – even Liverpool took a look two years ago – but I don’t think the off-pitch uncertainty will impact a move either way.
What about David Moyes? How likely is he to stay beyond this season?
I was at an awards do with Moyes on Sunday and the Scotsman spoke of his desire to challenge Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson at the top of the list for most Premier League games managed.
Moyes is on 761, 67 behind Wenger. If he stays in post for the rest of this season and the entirety of the next, he would just surpass the Frenchman. But to do that, he would have to extend his contract.
When asked about his contract situation at press conferences recently, Moyes has said it is not at the top of his priority list right now.
New owners might want to bring in their own man. Moyes has his critics in Everton’s fanbase but this could be a ‘be careful what you wish for’ scenario. He and the club’s supporters would love a trophy, which brings us swiftly on to our next question…
Jarrad Branthwaite and David Moyes have uncertain futures – how long will Everton hold on to the pair?
How seriously should Moyes take Thursday’s Carabao Cup game against Newcastle?
Very. Some may say it is ‘only’ the Carabao Cup but look at Thursday’s opponents Newcastle, who won their first domestic trophy for 70 years in this competition in 2025. That, for many Toon fans, will be the best day of their lives.
Win on Thursday and Everton are into the last eight. Arsenal are already out, one of Liverpool or Chelsea will join them on Wednesday night and two lower-league clubs are in the next round in Bradford and Fleetwood. Opportunity knocks – and the Newcastle game is the sort that can define a season. Moyes should play his strongest team.
Branthwaite is touch and go after missing the Arsenal game due to concussion protocols. He cleared them on the pitch against Chelsea but later showed symptoms and had to follow strict guidelines.
Jack Grealish was sick and should hopefully be OK to face Newcastle, while Vitalii Mykolenko suffered a calf issue at the Emirates.
How seriously should Everton take the Carabao Cup game against Newcastle? Just ask their opponents how much winning this competition means
Tyrique George and Harrison Armstrong have hugely impressed me so far this season
What do you make of the team’s start to the season? Has anyone impressed or surprised you?
I would not panic based on losses to Chelsea and Arsenal.
I knew Harrison Armstrong was good but he has been even better than I expected. He looks at home in the Premier League at 19.
I like Tyrique George, while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has fulfilled his potential as a top-level Premier League midfielder since joining from Chelsea last year.
New boy Hayden Hackney perhaps deserves a chance from the start, and Tyler Dibling is showing green shoots of positivity after a tough first year on Merseyside.
