Roma owners and proposed Everton investors Dan and Ryan Friedkin have issued a statement reassuring supporters of the Italian club that they ‘won’t alter their focus’ on delivering success, even if they negotiate a takeover deal for the Toffees.
The Friedkins’ are facing heavy criticism from sections of Roma supporters over the decision to sack club legend Daniele De Rossi just three months after he signed a permanent deal.
A poor start to the new Serie A campaign has seen Roma win just one of their opening five league matches, with news of their interest in buying Everton providing a possible distraction.
On Monday it was revealed that the Freidkin Group have reached an agreement with Everton to acquire Farhad Moshiri’s 94.1 per cent majority shareholding in the Merseyside club, just two months after walking away from the negotiations table.
While the deal is still subject to regulatory approval, with the Premier League and Football Association still to green-light the transaction, The Friedkin Group, who are headed by US businessman and Hollywood producer Dan Freidkin, look set to end the protracted takeover saga that has rumbled on over the past year.
Roma owners and proposed Everton investors Dan and Ryan Friedkin have issued a statement reassuring supporters of the Italian club
Roma supporters have been reassured by their owners that co-owning Everton ‘will only help’
Dan (left) and Ryan Friedkin (right) have reached an agreement to buy Everton
Questions are now likely to be raised over how the group will manage responsibilities two of Europe’s biggest and most historical clubs simultaneously in both Everton and Roma.
A statement published by the pair has now sought to reassure supporters of the Italian club that they will continue to target success domestically and in European competition, stating: ‘Football is admired around the world as the beautiful game. Each match is filled with passion, excitement and unpredictability – and that’s why we love it.
‘But beyond the results on the pitch, our responsibility as club owners is to make big decisions that we believe are in the best interest of the club, even when they are very difficult to make.
‘The transfer signings this summer marked the beginning of a strategic multi-year project designed to bring AS Roma back to the forefront of European football. As part of this vision, the development of a new stadium, which will honor the club’s deep history, is well underway.
‘We remain active investors in the sports industry. We love the beautiful game. The potential addition of Everton to our portfolio does not alter our focus on AS Roma. If anything, the multi-club symbiosis will only help Roma. Each club in our portfolio operates independently and AS Roma remains at the heart of our football ambitions.
‘Rest assured, our commitment of time, resources, and energy to Roma will not be diminished. Our goal is clear – to see AS Roma consistently compete at the highest levels of European football.
The Friedkin’s agreement to purchase Farhad Moshiri’s (pictured) majority stake in Everton is thought to be between £400million and £500m
Everton have faced a difficult start to the new Premier League season as takeover talks wrangle on
‘To our incredible fans, we acknowledge the immense responsibility we bear in leading this historic club. Your unwavering loyalty fuels us as we continue building for the future. We value your voices and want you to know — we hear you. You are the soul of this club, and we are determined to make you proud,’ the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, their agreement to purchase a majority stake in Everton is thought to be between £400million and £500m, but a figure is yet to be confirmed.
It is understood that the group, who had entered into a period of exclusivity with Everton’s current majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri, had stepped away from the negotiations table in July.
Their initial hesitation had related to the structuring of Everton’s debts under Moshiri, with Everton being saddled by over £200m worth of debts to investment firm 777 Partners.