Well, it’s official. Everton’s takeover has finally been agreed.
More than 12 months and many suitors later, it is Dan Friedkin who has won the race, and subject to approval from the Premier League, the American will become the new majority shareholder at Goodison Park.
Usurping Farhad Moshiri, he hardly has big shoes to fill, but there are a number of much-needed changes he must instantly make to endear himself to his new fanbase.
Keith Wyness has named what he sees as the biggest hurdle they will face in pursuing their goals.
Keith Wyness on Dan Friedkin’s Everton takeover
Chatting to talkSPORT just yesterday, former Everton CEO Wyness was enlisted to break down the business side of football, particularly at his former club.
After all, the Toffees’ takeover saga finally seems set to come to an end after more than a year of unrest.
Predicting how Friedkin might push forward once the deal is ratified by the Premier League, Wyness would theorise: ‘I think it’s going to be difficult to see a dramatic change, partly because of the PSR situation as well with Everton right now.
‘I think they are going to be pretty close to that, so there may not be a big leeway in terms of spending, but also I think the new stadium project coming through next season means that, you know, staying in the Premier League is imperative.
So they will probably be thinking, whatever we have to do to stabilise and to get things moving for this season and stay in the Premier League, that’s what we have to do rather than make dramatic changes just yet.
Dan Friedkin can solve Everton’s PSR struggles
There’s no denying that Everton have been a club completely hamstrung by their misguided finances.
After all, under Moshiri their ambition ended up being their downfall, with the Premier League maliciously waiting for the chance to punish the Toffees for spending too freely.
Two points deductions last season saw them thrown right back into the mire, and only through Sean Dyche‘s sturdy leadership did they overcome this.
However, under the billionaire Friedkin, hopefully such issues will become a thing of the past.
After all, he made solving AS Roma’s finances his top priority upon completing that takeover in 2020, and is expected to do the same at Goodison Park too.
One report stated that Everton will enter Bramley-Moore Dock free of debt because of Friedkin’s plans.
Should he wipe their debt and start ploughing some much-needed money back into the club, PSR nightmares could finally become a thing of the past.
