In today’s football landscape, where every pound spent is scrutinised under financial fair play rules, clubs are finding new ways to work around the restrictions.
And Everton just made a bold move in that direction — by selling their women’s team.
But it’s not quite as dramatic as it sounds.
A Strategic Transfer to Their Own Parent Company
Everton have officially sold their women’s team, but rather than offloading it to an outsider, they’ve handed it over to their own parent company.
According to records filed with Companies House — and first uncovered by The Times — Everton Football Club Women Ltd is now under the control of Roundhouse Capital Holdings.
This is the same company used by Dan Friedkin, Everton’s new owner, when his group (The Friedkin Group) took over the club back in December 2024.
Boosting Investment and PSR Compliance
The idea behind the move isn’t just bookkeeping.
According to insiders, the sale is meant to give the women’s team more autonomy and the potential to attract investment from the U.S., especially now that it operates as a standalone business under Roundhouse.
But there’s a second, more strategic reason.
This move will also help Everton balance their books in line with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) — something they’ve struggled with in recent seasons.
Third Club to Use the Controversial Rule
Everton aren’t the first to go down this path.
They’re actually the third Premier League side to take advantage of a rule that allows clubs to “sell” internal assets like women’s teams to affiliated companies and count the profit toward PSR compliance.
Chelsea and Aston Villa already tested these waters, though both later ran into issues with UEFA’s stricter financial oversight, which frowns on such internal manoeuvres.
Premier League Pushes Back on ‘Loophole’ Label
Despite criticism, the Premier League insists this isn’t a sneaky loophole.
They claim that every deal undergoes a “fair value” assessment to ensure it’s above board.
Still, the optics aren’t great — especially when the valuations seem inflated.
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire pointed out that Chelsea’s sale of their women’s side for £200 million — ten times its annual revenue — could give Everton grounds to place a hefty £60 million valuation on their own team.
A History of PSR Trouble
Everton’s motivation here makes sense given their recent financial missteps.
The club was docked six points for breaching PSR rules in the 2021–22 season, and two more points in 2022–23.
With that history, they clearly can’t afford to keep making the same mistakes.
Moyes Frustrated by Transfer Stagnation
Meanwhile, on the pitch, things aren’t looking any brighter.
After a disappointing 3–0 loss to Bournemouth in the Premier League Summer Series opener, manager David Moyes didn’t hold back.
“Yes, but let’s be fair — it’s not just players missing,” Moyes said when asked about the squad.
“We need to sign a lot of players. We know that. I wish we could’ve had them earlier.”
He went on to stress how thin the current squad is, with a mix of injuries and a lack of signings making preparation nearly impossible.
What’s Next for the Toffees?
As Everton try to rebuild both financially and competitively, this sale of the women’s team could be just the beginning of a broader restructuring.
Whether it brings in much-needed investment or triggers further scrutiny from football regulators remains to be seen.
One thing’s clear — Everton are playing a high-stakes game off the pitch, just as much as on it.