New potential Everton owners the Friedkin Group assure Roma supporters that buying the Toffees ‘will only help the Italian club’ after reaching a takeover deal

Roma owners and prospective investors at Everton, Dan and Ryan Friedkin, have released a statement reassuring supporters of the Italian club that they will “not change their focus” on achieving success even as they negotiate a takeover deal for the Toffees.

The Friedkins have come under heavy criticism from Roma fans for their decision to sack club legend Daniele De Rossi just three months after he signed a permanent contract.

Roma have made a poor start to the new Serie A campaign, having won just one of their first five league games, with news that they are looking to buy Everton likely to cause a distraction.

On Monday it was announced that the Freidkin Group has reached an agreement with Everton to acquire Farhad Moshiri’s 94.1 percent majority stake in the Merseyside club, just two months after Moshiri left the negotiating table.

Although the deal still needs to be approved by regulators and the Premier League and the Football Association must give the green light, The Friedkin Group, led by American businessman and Hollywood producer Dan Freidkin, appears to be putting an end to the protracted takeover saga that has lasted the past year.

Roma owners and Everton’s proposed investors Dan and Ryan Friedkin have released 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 arise over how the group will manage its responsibilities for two of Europe’s biggest and most historic clubs at once, Everton and Roma.

A statement released by the pair has now attempted to reassure supporters of the Italian club that they will continue to aim for success on home soil and in European competition, stating: ‘Football is admired all over the world as the beautiful game. Every match is filled with passion, excitement and unpredictability – and that is why we love it.

‘But beyond the results on the pitch, it is our responsibility as club owners to make big decisions that we believe are in the best interests of the club, even if they are very difficult to make.

‘The transfer signings this summer marked the beginning of a strategic multi-year project designed to return AS Roma to the forefront of European football. As part of this vision, the development of a new stadium, which will honour 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 change our focus on AS Roma. The multi-club symbiosis will only help Roma. Each club in our portfolio operates independently and AS Roma remains the heart of our football ambitions.

‘Rest assured, our commitment of time, resources and energy to Roma will not diminish. Our goal is clear: to see AS Roma compete consistently at the highest level of European football.

Friedkin’s deal to buy Farhad Moshiri’s (pictured) majority stake in Everton is estimated to be worth between £400m and £500m

Everton have endured a difficult start to the new Premier League season as takeover talks continue.

“To our incredible fans, we recognize the immense responsibility we bear in leading this historic club. Your unwavering loyalty fuels us as we continue to build 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 deal to buy a majority stake in Everton is thought to be worth between £400m and £500m, but a figure has not yet been confirmed.

The group, which had entered into a period of exclusivity with Everton’s current majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri, reportedly walked away from the negotiating table in July.

Their initial hesitation was due to the structuring of Everton’s debt under Moshiri, with Everton struggling to find themselves in debt of over £200m to investment company 777 Partners.