Claims Friedkin Group might return for second Everton takeover bid

When the Group's attempt to conclude a successful takeover came to an end last month due to concerns about the huge debts Everton have accumulated, that seemed the end of their interest.

The American's consortium have lent the Blues more money, about £200 million, to pay off remaining stadium costs at the club's new Bramley-Moore Dock ground, so becoming the latest creditor the Toffees owe money to.

But after the collapse of their exclusivity period - the fourth such outcome to attempted takeovers in two years - it was assumed that they were no longer in the running to take control of the Merseyside club.

Since then other parties - some of whom were previously interested after 777 Partners attempted takeover fell through in June - were again said to be circling.

One of them, led by another US billionaire John Textor, has now moved again putting a new bid on the table for Farhad Moshiri to consider. And so it goes on.

Whoever does make the latest effort to try and end this miserable saga, will still have to contend with those massive and complicated debts Everton have, and in particular the issue around the money 777 Partners' lent during their eight months involvement, which ultimately scared off the Freidkin Group.

Or did it? According to this report from our friends at Football Insider, Friedkin might still consider returning to the fray, possibly as part of consortium with other investors.

This would claims Wyness, allow Friedkin to avoid any possible conflict of interest issues given that he also owns Roma - who Everton drew with yesterday in their final pre-season game - and a French club too.

Furthermore, it could in theory also help with that 777 Partners debt problem, allowing each of the consortium partners to spread the potential liability between themselves when they have to deal with it.

Anyway, as always this is the usual ifs, buts and maybes we have come to expect from this seemingly endless ownership saga.

And as this goes on and on, Sean Dyche of course has to prepare for another hectic and demanding Premier League campaign, which begins next weekend with the visit of Brighton and Hove Albion to Goodison Park.