Friedkin Group’s Everton Sale Shifts Focus to Roma as Milan Plan a January Spending Push
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The Friedkin Group is putting Everton up for sale after two years of ownership to focus more heavily on Roma and the club’s Cannes operation, Gazzetta dello Sport reported, with the American group also pursuing a roughly $3.5 billion NHL franchise launch in Houston. Everton confirmed in a statement that it is “exploring new investment options... including the potential sale of a controlling interest,” having prioritised stabilising the club and completing its new stadium since taking over in 2024; Roma currently sit joint top of Serie A on 13 points from five matches.
AC Milan are preparing a serious January move for Sporting CP captain Goncalo Inacio to strengthen Ruben Amorim’s defence as part of a push to return to the Champions League, Gazzetta dello Sport reported. Owner Gerry Cardinale’s club has already spent around 150 million euros this year on Ramos, Gila and Moreira, and revived interest in Inacio after a summer bid above 40 million euros was turned down by Sporting; the 23-year-old centre-back, who extended his contract to 2030 last December, has started every match this season.
Transfer and squad notes
Roma are preparing a bid of at least 25 million euros for Frosinone winger Giorgi Kvernadze to fill Gian Piero Gasperini’s long-standing need for a left-sided attacker, Gazzetta dello Sport reported. The 23-year-old Georgia international, who has five goals and two assists this season, has overtaken Chelsea’s Jamie Bynoe-Gittens as Roma’s top target after the club previously missed out on Crysencio Summerville and Jamie Leweling.
Inter full-back Djed Spence is set for his first matchday squad involvement since joining from Tottenham, with coach Cristian Chivu planning to give him minutes against Parma on Saturday at San Siro, Gazzetta dello Sport reported. The 26-year-old Englishman has spent recent weeks on an individual recovery programme after fitness issues dating back to the summer, only rejoining full training during the international break.
Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini sits on 299 Serie A career wins and could reach the 300 milestone against Como on Sunday or shortly after, Gazzetta dello Sport reported, putting him alongside a group of coaches that includes Nereo Rocco (302), Luciano Spalletti (306), Massimiliano Allegri (324) and Giovanni Trapattoni (352).
What it means for the league
The Friedkin Group’s decision signals a clear prioritisation of Roma within its sports portfolio just as the club sits atop the table, adding weight to a season that already looks more ambitious than recent ones. Milan’s willingness to spend again in January, on top of this year’s outlay, shows the club treating Champions League qualification as a financial priority rather than hoping squad depth alone gets them there. With Roma also targeting a direct upgrade in Kvernadze and Gasperini closing in on a personal milestone, the club’s combination of ownership backing and sporting momentum makes them one of the season’s clearer storylines so far.