Everton takeover news LIVE - Campbell tributes, Friedkin deal, transfer latest (2024)

Thank you and goodnight

And that's all for today's Everton live blog. Enjoy the rest of your evening.

Former Everton chief on takeover

Former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness has been having his say on the club's takeover amid the news that Roma owner Dan Friedkin and his group are now the frontrunners to buy out Farhad Moshiri.

Speaking on Football Insider's new Inside Football podcast, Wyness said...

I'd hope a preferred bidder is named in fairly short order, I’d say within the next two weeks. That alone would be enough to calm things down and let the club move forward. We’d then get an idea of the structure that group would be looking to impose. If they’re not John Textor, and they are not currently a Premier League owner – then they’ll have to go through the owners’ and directors’ test, which will take another six weeks. All those things should be a formality given the quality of bidders we’re talking about. I don’t think we’re really in a 777 situation again. I feel comfortable we can move ahead, but the main thing is stopping the speculation and beginning the process. It may take longer to get the transaction completed, but I’m hoping a preferred bidder will be named within two weeks."

Dan Friedkin will sign deal to buy Everton today

That's according to Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness). The Italian publication say: "Dan Friedkin, owner of Roma and Cannes, has 94% of Everton in his hands. And today he only has to push the ball into the net into an empty net. That is to conclude the deal after having already reached an agreement in principle with the current owner of the Liverpool club, Farhad Moshiri, on the basis of an (accepted) offer of 475 million euros. A sudden turning point, which has materialized in the last few hours, confirming the US tycoon's strong desire to expand in the Premier League towards major international football, leaving Roma at the center of the project as a showcase club, jewel of the galaxy.

"At the end of a "fast and transparent" negotiation, Moshiri deemed the Friedkin project "the most serious and credible" from a financial and future commitment point of view: the almost 4 years spent at the helm of Roma have evidently weighed on the choice of Iranian owner to prefer the Giallorossi buyer over the other suitors for the club. By signing the Everton purchase deed today, Friedkin will take over the majority stake through Blue Heaven Holdings Limited: the remaining 4.6% will be free-floating, held by minor shareholders, and 1.3% will remain with the former president Bill Kenwright's company."

Thank you, Kevin Campbell

There is only one way for me to say goodbye on this blog for the day, and that is by reflecting on the many wonderful tributes to Kevin Campbell following his tragic passing.

This, to me, is a must-read from my colleague, Blues fan and friend of Super Kev, Chris Beesley. It really does capture the impact he had on the club and the esteem in which he was held.

We also have:

• This piece on the club tributes to the great man, including plans to honour him next season
• The touching tribute paid to Kevin by his heartbroken son, Tyrese
• And this piece on the wider tributes from the world of football

Thank you for joining me on this sad day. I will be back with you from around 9am tomorrow. Have a happy, safe night

Surprise from rivals at Friedkin emergence

Those who were part of a crowded field when it came to the battle for Everton were surprised when Dan Friedkin emerged as the frontrunner on Friday night. Here is a piece on the end of a week of uncertainty, and the reaction of those involved.

Former teammates pay tribute to Kevin Campbell

Tributes continue to pour in for Super Kev.

Wayne Rooney: Absolutely devastated to hear the news about Kev. Thinking of all his family and friends. Kev was a great team mate but more importantly a brilliant person who helped me a lot in my earlier years.

Danny Cadamarteri: Soul destroying news today

I feel so blessed to have met, trained with and played with one of my biggest hero’s in football

@1kevincampbell

@Everton

legend

@Arsenal

legend A top striker A top geezer A true gentleman My thoughts are with all friends & family RIP KC

Michael Ball: We’ve unfortunately lost a bright diamond.

A truly special guy, who was always Mr positive in my eyes. RIP SUPER KEV

Wayne Rooney, Alan Stubbs and Don Hutchison pay tribute to Kevin Campbell

The tributes keep on coming for Kevin Campbell, whose tragic passing has brought an outpouring of love, including these messages by three of his former Everton team-mates.

Kevin Campbell's son pays tribute

I posted these words in the blog earlier but if you did not see them, here is the post of Tyrese Campbell, Kevin's son, following the death of the former Everton striker.

Tyrese is a forward himself and currently plays at Stoke City.

You can read his touching message here

Everton takeover: Bidder sends message as rivals digest emergence of Dan Friedkin as frontrunner

Here's my latest piece on the Everton takeover situation, with rivals now digesting the advance towards a deal by Dan Friedkin. It includes the statement issued by Vatche Manoukian, who was fronting a £400m bid for the club.

You can read it here

Recap on the other headlines

Just a recap on some of the stories heading into today, before the tragic news of Kevin Campbell's death emerged.

Even by Everton's standards, Friday had been a busy day. This was how it unfolded:

• Kicking off at 9am, the Blues announced they had agreed a ‘club record’ deal with sportswear firm Castore. Read the full story HERE.
• Then at 11am, it was confirmed that Goodison Park great Seamus Coleman had agreed a new contract. Read the full story HERE.
• Then, early in the afternoon, there was some good injury news about another Everton full-back. Read the full story HERE.

• Manchester United then bid for Jarrad Branthwaite. Read the full story HERE.

• Then, in the early evening, the really big news of the day: Roma owner Dan Friedkin is the new frontrunner in the Everton takeover battle. Read the full story HERE.

• And there was still one more twist. Arsenal have made contact about Amadou Onana. Read the full story HERE.

What will today bring? Let's wait and see!

Touching tributes to one of football's finest

The tragic news of Kevin Campbell's passing broke this morning. While it was known he seriously ill, the news has caused shock and is still resonating through the world of football as ex-teammates, former clubs and supporters pay tribute.

One of the most heartfelt I have seen is from Everton, with the club also announcing plans to honour him at the start of next season. You can read a piece on the club's tribute here

Another piece of significance is this, from my colleague Chris Beesley. A lifelong Blue and someone who knew Super Kev, this is a moving overview of his impact at the club and what he meant to people. For those of you who listen to our Royal Blue podcast you may have heard Chris holding back tears as he spoke of Campbell's illness earlier this month. His piece is here

'I'll miss you dad'

Kevin Campbell's son Tyrese, who plays for Stoke City, has issued this message on Instagram:

"I appreciate my dad was admired by many and the outpouring of love has been some comfort for us as a family, so thank you for that at such a difficult time. The pain of this is indescribable and as a son you look at your dad as invincible. He is my idol, the one who I wanted to be when I grew up. He was the life and soul of every party and room he blessed, a one in a million person that was loved by everyone, a special, special person. I'll miss you dad."

Tributes continue to pour in

"Not just a true Goodison Park hero and huge fans' favourite, Kevin was the Blues' first black captain and also an incredible person, as anyone who had the pleasure of meeting him would know.”

Our latest tribute piece

Everton plan to honour Super Kev

The club has issued a really heartfelt overview of the impact Kevin Campbell had on Everton and the fondness with which he is regarded. It ends: "One of the most popular men to ever wear the royal blue jersey, he remains an icon amongst Evertonians and was the perfect ambassador who always thoroughly enjoyed returning to Goodison Park in a media capacity or to cheer on the Toffees as a fan… He was a giant of a man, a fabulous footballer and he will be sorely missed by everyone fortunate enough to know him. The thoughts of everyone at Everton are with his family at this extremely sad time."

The club goes on to say that it will plan a tribute for the striker for the start of next season

You can read the genuinely moving piece on the Everton FC website, here

A heartfelt tribute to Kevin Campbell

My colleague. Chris Beesley, has penned this touching overview of Kevin Campbell, capturing not just what he meant to Everton supporters but the way in which he was adored by so many people from the world of football and beyond.

This is worth a read

Ian Wright has posted his own tribute to Kevin Campbell

https://x.com/IanWright0/status/1801907371481932094

And a tribute from Arsenal too

"We are devastated to learn that our former striker Kevin Campbell has died after a short illness. Kevin was adored by everyone at the club. All of us are thinking of his friends and family at this difficult time. Rest in peace, Kevin"

'RIP Super Kev'

Everton's post to confirm the sad news: "Everyone at Everton is deeply saddened by the death of our former striker Kevin Campbell at the age of just 54. Not just a true Goodison Park hero and icon of the English game, but an incredible person as well - as anyone who ever met him will know. RIP, Super Kev."

Kevin Campbell has passed away, aged 54

Apologies for having been a bit quiet on here this morning. We have been aware that former Everton striker Kevin Campbell has passed away and were just waiting on the sad news to be confirmed by appropriate channels. Everton and Arsenal have now posted officially.

Here is our story, with a more detailed tribute due to follow shortly.

Statement from disappointed Everton bidder

The news Dan Friedkin had emerged in pole position for control of Everton last night led to disappointment from some of the rival bidders. I was sent this statement on behalf of Vatche Manoukian, who led the £400m equity bid from a consortium that included backers from the US and a Gulf royal.

“Everton fans deserve to be competing for trophies once again and we hope this deal delivers success for the club on and off the pitch. I want to thank our world-class investors for their support and we are excited to turn our focus to new opportunities to take great clubs to the next level.”

Everton takeover: A new favourite emerges from the pack

Hello, Joe Thomas here picking up from Paul's overview and back with you after that busy day yesterday. That really was something. The day was pottering along with interesting but expected news with the Castore and Coleman deals announced. Then it took a turn. Dan Friedkin is now widely expected to be the bidder Farhad Moshiri enters into an exclusivity deal for the club with. I'm trying to find more out about that offer today. Just before that news emerged, we published this piece in which I wrote of the confusion underlining the process as billionaires were placed on hold by Moshiri. I guess now we know why his attention might not have been on those other proposals.

Good morning!

Morning Blues!

Joe Thomas - after a well deserved night's rest - will be with you shortly. But first a recap on a day that, even by Everton's standard, was crazy:

• Kicking off at 9am, the Blues announced they had agreed a ‘club record’ deal with sportswear firm Castore. Read the full story HERE.
• Then at 11am, it was confirmed that Goodison Park great Seamus Coleman had agreed a new contract. Read the full story HERE.
• Then, early in the afternoon, there was some good injury news about another Everton full-back. Read the full story HERE.

• Manchester United then bid for Jarrad Branthwaite. Read the full story HERE.

• Then, in the early evening, the really big news of the day: Roma owner Dan Friedkin is the new frontrunner in the Everton takeover battle. Read the full story HERE.

• And there was still one more twist. Arsenal have made contact about Amadou Onana. Read the full story HERE.

What will today bring? Let's wait and see!

Final tale of the day!

Final story of a long day - the latest on the Amadou Onana interest from Arsenal

Thank you for joining me today - I'll be back in the morning. Hope you have a great evening and weekend.

New frontrunner emerges in battle for Everton

As promised, here is my piece on the new favourite to take over the Blues

New: Arsenal enquire about Onana

MORE breaking news - yes there is a takeover update on the way, with Roma owner Dan Friedkin now the frontrunner for the club. Will have my story on that with you soon.

BUT we have another line - Arsenal have enquired about Amadou Onana. More to follow on that, too

Jarrad Branthwaite latest

Full story here as Everton set to reject opening bid for Branthwaite

Breaking: Everton set to reject Jarrad Branthwaite bid

David Ornstein at The Athletic has written this and it is my understanding too - Manchester United have made an opening bid for Jarrad Branthwaite that the club plans to reject. Deemed way below value. More to follow

Everton takeover: Uncertainty rules as billionaires wait on Moshiri decision

Here is my latest piece on the Everton takeover, one that looks at the current situation amid the wait for Moshiri to make a decision as he sifts through different bids and a complex web of interests.

Sean Dyche on his club captain

Dyche on Coleman: “From the day I became Everton manager, Seamus has been a great example to his teammates and staff on what it means to play for the club.

“He is a model professional and helps set standards, and his leadership is rightly admired by everyone.

“His vast experience and know-how on the pitch will continue to be valuable qualities for us in the season ahead.”

A new deal for the Blues

And Coleman will be playing his 16th season in a Castore kit. This is an overview of a record-breaking deal for Everton.