Prem takeover agreed

GM football fans. Route One here, and we’re covering Everton’s takeover agreement, Man United’s stadium update and much more. Enjoy Route One? Share us with a friend on WhatsApp with this link.

CARABAO CUP STATS

Chelsea vs Barrow (19:45 UK). There are 64 places between the two sides in the English pyramid – the largest gap between any matchup in the third round. Man City vs Watford (19:45 UK). Since holding City to a 1-1 draw in 2017, Watford have lost their last 15 games against the Citizens, conceding a staggering 58 goals at a rate of nearly four per game. Walsall vs Leicester (19:45 UK). Walsall have won every game at home this season, while Leicester have won only once in their last six games in all competitions. Full Carabao Cup fixture list here.

Plus…

• Rodri could be out for the remainder of the season with ACL injury (More)

• AFC Wimbledon vs Newcastle Carabao Cup clash postponed (More)

• Cardiff City still claiming €120mn from Nantes for Emiliano Sala (More / in French)

• The six best Premier League stats from Matchday 5 (More)

• Euro 2024 review says Germany deserved penalty against Spain (More)

TOFFEES TAKEOVER

Everton takeover deal agreed, subject to regulatory approval

An agreement has been reached for The Friedkin Group (TFG) to complete the takeover of Everton, a joint statement revealed. The deal is still subject to regulatory approval, including from the Premier League, the FA and the Financial Conduct Authority. It comes at a time when Everton’s debt has risen to £600mn, a third of which is owed to TFG.

It represents the latest twist in the 12-month takeover saga. Farhad Moshiri, the Toffee’s current owner, had previously entered into exclusive talks with the KAM Group, MSP Sports Capital and 777 Partners. All these deals failed to meet Premier League conditions. Most recently, the owner of Lyon, John Textor, insisted he was confident he’d takeover Everton before the end of November. But his 45 per cent stake in Crystal Palace meant the deal was delayed as the Premier League doesn’t permit the overlap of more than one member club.

After reigniting his interest earlier this month, TFG chairman Dan Friedkin is the most likely suitor. He has a net worth of £5.7bn according to Forbes. Friedkin also owns Serie A side AS Roma who, like Everton, have had a poor start to the season with only one win in the league. But rumours have circulated that Friedkin plans to offload Roma to the Saudi Sovereign Investment Fund (PIF) if he successfully takes over Everton. This, as well as the sacking of Daniele de Rossi, has left a sour taste in the mouths of Roma supporters.

POLL

HEAD START

😬 Haaland to avoid punishment. Erling Haaland will not face a sanction for throwing the ball at Gabriel after Man City’s stoppage-time equaliser. Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright has called the Norweigan a “coward” for his actions.

😲 City verdict imminent. A verdict into Man City’s legal challenge of associated-party financial rules is expected imminently. This is separate to the ongoing 115 alleged rule breaches against the club. In June, City launched a claim of “discrimination” over rules governing value on sponsors as it felt it was being unfairly targetted by the league.

👏 WSL secure huge sponsorship. Barclays have agreed a three-year extension to remain the title sponsor of the Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship. The deal is worth £45mn, doubling the previous arrangement. It is the first major contract secured by the WSL’s new takeover company, Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL).

UNITED’S STADIUM UPDATE

Manchester United will get no public money for new stadium, whilst project could be worth £7.3bn to economy

Manchester United will not be given public money for their plans to revamp Old Trafford, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has confirmed. While it’s up to the club to fund any new stadium or refurbishment, the mayor said some taxpayer cash will go toward the surrounding neighboour to help transport links. 

Burnham confirmed this yesterday at the Labour Party conference, where the first models of Old Trafford’s regeneration were revealed. At this stage, the models are fairly insignificant considering the club is still debating whether to build a new 100,000-capacity stadium or refurbish Old Trafford. Should United go ahead with the new stadium, a report by advisory firm Oxford Economics suggests Trafford Park could be worth £7.3bn per year to the UK economy – including 92,000 jobs, 17,000 new homes and 1.8mn visitors per year. United are surveying 500,000 fans this week and aim to make a decision by the end of the year.

In May, Sir Jim Ratcliffe said there was “a very good case” for the “Wembley of the North” stadium to be publicly funded. Despite the inevitable benefits to the surrounding area, the use of taxpayer money for the stadium itself has not been received well by supporters. In fact, in a previous edition, 77% of Route One readers voted that public funds should not be used to fund stadium projects.

AROUND THE FOOTBALL WORLD

🇪🇸 La Liga: Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is out for months with a knee injury (More); his surgery was successful (More)

🇩🇪 German national team: Germany’s national team sporting director, Rudi Voller, has confirmed he will target Jurgen Klopp for the manager’s job “if he wants to” (More)

🇦🇺 Australian national team: Tony Popovic, a member of Australia’s ‘golden generation’ with 58 caps for his country, was named the new head coach of the national team (More)

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Championship: Leeds United announce plans to expand Elland Road capacity to 53,000, from 37,645 (More)

THE WEEK AHEAD

Carabao Cup

Tuesday and Wednesday will see the third round of the Carabao Cup. The most interesting tie is probably Liverpool vs West Ham on Wednesday, while another interesting fixture Wimbledon vs Newcastle has been postponed. If you’re wondering why, it’s because Wimbledon’s pitch looks like a golf course after heavy rain. Tonight, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Man City, and Leicester City will be in action. Fixtures below in On Today.

Europa League

The return of the Europa League takes place on Wednesday and Thursday this week. Wednesday sees the better fixtures with Man United facing Twente, Galatasaray host PAOK and Nice take on Real Sociedad. There’s less to write home about on Thursday, although Qarabag travel to Spurs and Roma host Athletic Club. 

Women’s Champions League

It’s the continuation of the 2024-25 UEFA Women's Champions League as we enter the second round of qualifying matches. On Wednesday, Juventus host PSG – both teams have high expectations this season in the competition. The following day, favourites Manchester City take on Paris FC, while Arsenal face BK Hacken. Full Women’s Champions League fixtures here.

ROUTER’S VOICE

Yesterday, we asked you: Do you think players should talk about their contract negotiations in public?

🟨 🟨 🟨 ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ 🗣️ Yes, fans deserve to know what’s going on... (31%)

🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🟩 🤐 No, it should stay private between the player and club... (63.7%)

⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ⬜️ ✍️ Other (write in!)... (5%)

Your punditry takes:

• 🗣️ G.E: “We’re the game’s bread and butter. As the most important stakeholders, I don’t see why we should be kept in the dark. Transparency is never a bad thing!” 

• 🤐 S.C: “It's better their immoral earnings aren't made too public.”

• ✍️ M.R: “What players say in the media about contract talks is usually a bargaining strategy, maybe even a bluff. It is designed to put pressure on the club and shouldn't be taken too seriously.”

EXTRA TIME

Man United 25-26 Home kit to feature sleeve print. w/ images

New footage shows Erling Haaland confronting Mikel Arteta.

Brazilian dog is better at footvolley than professionals.

Numbers behind Arsenal’s ‘time-wasting’.

Troy Deeney’s BBC Premier League team of the week.

Eidur Gudjohnsen made his Iceland debut by replacing his dad.

Ghost foul on Thomas Muller will make your day.

Was Michael Oliver right to send Leandro Trossard off?

GAME FACE ON

Question: Who am I (manager edition)...

• The last club I managed was Aston Villa in 2016.

• I steered a club to its first Champions League title.

• I was capped 34 times for Italy.

Scroll below for the answer.

ON TODAY

Carabao Cup

• Chelsea vs Barrow (19:45)

• Man City vs Watford (19:45)

• Walsall vs Leicester (19:45)

• Wycombe vs Aston Villa (20:00)

League One

• Huddersfield vs Blackpool (19:45)

• Leyton Orient vs Peterborough (19:45)

• Wigan vs Stevenage (19:45)

La Liga

• Sevilla vs Valladolid (18:00)

• Valencia vs Osasuna (18:00)

• Real Madrid vs Alaves (20:00)

*All times in UK. EST -5. PST -8. CET +1. CST +8. JST +9.

Answer

Roberto Di Matteo.