Dan Friedkin could complete his takeover of Everton in the next four to six weeks after settling one of the club’s largest debts.

Finance expert Stefan Borson told Football Insider that the American businessman should navigate the Premier League’s owners’ and directors’ test more easily compared to 777 Partners.

Last September, 777 Partners were granted exclusivity in their bid to buy Everton but were unable to complete the deal. The Friedkin Group has now been given the opportunity to acquire Farhad Moshiri’s 94.1 per cent stake in the Merseyside club after agreeing a deal in principle with the owner.

The takeover has advanced significantly as the Texan company has paid off the club’s £158 million loan to New York investment firm MSP Sports Capital.

Dan Friedkin to pass through Premier League test with ease:

Borson anticipates that Friedkin will have had thorough discussions regarding the legal aspects of Everton before it was announced that he had cleared the debt.

He told Football Insider: “Friedkin now has to complete his due diligence, which you would think would be a relatively smooth process because all of the data will already be in the data rooms.

“I would expect Friedkin would have had extensive discussions before the announcement about the legal details of Everton, its contracts and everything else.

“You would think Friedkin would be able to get through the owners’ and directors’ test relatively easily as well compared to 777 Partners.

“You would assume in the next four to six weeks Friedkin will be able to complete that transaction and Everton’s future can begin.”

The potential takeover by Friedkin offers hope for stability and progress at Everton. With the financial burden of the significant loan lifted, fans will be keen to see how this new chapter unfolds under Friedkin’s leadership, aiming for a brighter future both on and off the pitch.