The Friedkins want out of Everton. After weeks of speculation, the American group have finally confirmed their intentions on Merseyside.
They are now seeking either external investment or, the sale of a controlling interest in the Toffees. After just two years in charge, it appears that they now want their money back and to get out of the Premier League.
Why that is the case, is as yet unknown. The feeling at Everton will undoubtedly be that this was always the plan. Buy Everton on the cheap, stabilise the business, increase their profits and then move on.
With news this week that Roma’s new stadium has been approved and is set to break ground next year, the timing of this announcement feels too close to be coincidence.
The news has certainly not gone unnoticed over in Rome today. In fact, it is a topic that is likely to be covered extensively in the coming days.
Roma positivity increases
As for today, there’s already plenty of coverage. Roma Giallorossa kick things off, saying the Everton sale ‘could bring the Friedkins closer to Trigoria’.
They see the potential sale as something that could ‘mark a major turning point’ for Roma’s future as well. Their belief is that it opens up interesting possibilities for the Italian club.
First and foremost, it would allow the Friedkins to focus more of their attention and resources on the Roma-based club. That’s not just from a financial point of view either. Managing two clubs simultaneously in major leagues entails a division of energy across multiple fronts.
Letting Everton go means they can devote more time to Roma, increasing their presence in the capital and at the Trigoria training centre. Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini has already made it clear that he would like that and is pushing for it. Selling Everton makes it more realistic.
Then there’s Roma’s new stadium. Groundbreaking on that is scheduled for March 2027. It’s a pivotal moment as the Friedkins have viewed a new stadium as a key strategic move ever since their arrival at the club.
It will require constant attention, investment and ongoing dialogue with the relevant authorities. Thus, selling Everton can help on all three fronts.
What they’re worried about
Rivista La Roma take a similar stance. They sale the potential Everton sale ‘sparks hope’ among the Roma fan base.
In the Italian capital they are hoping for greater focus on the Roma project, while in Liverpool the announcement is causing nothing but anxiety. Reaction on social media in Italy has been nothing but positive. They want Everton ditched quickly to put the focus on Roma.
Forza Roma have been looking at the social media reaction closely. They say that in general Roma fans ‘cheered the news’ of the potential Everton sale when it was announced today.
The overriding feeling is that the news had ‘delighted’ Roma fans who, again, are hoping that attention will shift fully to them in the coming months and years.
“Selfishly—and above all as a fan—I say it’s for the best,” one post reads.
“Let them focus more on Roma, which in my view is their sporting priority, given the club-owned stadium nearing completion and the team’s upward trajectory. It’s certainly not Cannes, whereas Everton could have become a major distraction.”
There are some concerns, though. For some, the Everton news should perhaps be a warning to Roma.
“Build the stadium. The club’s value rises. Sell the club and profit from the initial investment.,” one post said.
“They are entrepreneurs, and that’s how they operate They’ll do the same with us; the signs have all been there and have been obvious for years. They aren’t Franco Sensi. They aren’t Dino Viola. Love for a team is something else entirely.”
What happens next, remains to be seen. For now, it seems most Roma fans are confident they’re about to get better treatment. But some are seeing what’s happening at Everton and worrying, even if they’ve got a new stadium on the way.
Journalists have their say
Over on the radio, various journalists have already reacted to the news and given their thoughts on what comes next.
“The Friedkins selling Everton could pave the way for the sale of Roma as well,” said Gianluca Piacentini on Rete Sport.
“With Everton, they invested in the stadium first and the club second. Here in Rome, they did the opposite. It’s possible they’ve realised football isn’t the business they imagined and are now divesting. Once the final green light for the stadium construction comes through, they might decide to exit Roma too.”
“I prefer to view the Friedkins’ sale of Everton as a sign of their desire to focus their efforts on Roma,” countered Tiziano Moroni.
“This is a major asset, and by shedding the FFP burden, I’d like to finally see them operating at full capacity…”
Checco Oddo Casano, meanwhile, thinks that the Americans have simply realised that Everton cannot give them what they want.
“I think the Friedkins realised that Everton isn’t the kind of English franchise that carries significant weight or offers substantial profit margins,” he concluded.
“Besides, Liverpool is such a dreary city… it’s certainly not Rome, or even Cannes. I think that’s the reason, along with a shift in strategy that, in the medium or long term, could eventually lead them to sell Roma as well.”
