Everton could be saved as John Textor launches new takeover bid and aims to dump Crystal Palace shares
JOHN TEXTOR is making a new bid for Everton — as he looks to dump his Crystal Palace shares.
Eagles co-owner Textor has found new allies and is aiming to do a deal with Farhad Moshiri for the Merseyside outfit.
American Textor was overlooked in the last round of bidding but is keen to get a Premier League club he can control after growing frustrated at Selhurst Park.
After the Friedkin Group pulled out, Textor made contact with leading Everton figures in the past few days in a bid to broker a deal.
He already knows the numbers of the debt from his previous bid and he is willing to sift through the problems relating to the ownership.
Billionaire Textor, 58, has been in touch with the Premier League previously about his status if he buys into another club while still involved at Palace.
But there is optimism he can sort out that issue if he can win the battle for power at Goodison.
Textor previously admitted he was keen on adding the Toffees to his Eagle Football network of clubs – Lyon in France, Brazil’s Botafogo and RWD Molenbeek in Belgium.
That was before US investment group 777 Partners saw their takeover collapse.
He told The Athletic in May he had held talks about buying the Toffees “with the existing constituents – different groups, different lenders, different equity holders”.
He added: “Everton represents the best of English football: the struggles, the glory, the want. I love that it’s out of London. Everybody should want to buy Everton right now.
“I’ve asked them ‘Is there a way to solve all this confusion and address everyone’s problems?’
“I’m very open-minded to it but I don’t want to come into a situation where I’m not really welcome. I’m watching it but 777 still has a contract
“There are people that are close to the club who care a lot about it who are also investing. There’s the guy running it who’s still calling the shots.
“Maybe we’re uniquely positioned to solve a lot of problems for people but we’re just watching it right now because there are other people who already own pieces of that club who also want to figure it out.
“I’m looking at that but it’s quite confusing and some things have to clean up.”
Textor bought his Palace shares for £90million in 2021 and owns a 45% stake via his company Eagle Football Holdings.
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Textor has now instructed Raine Group to find a prospective buyer.
He believes he can’t achieve his long-term plans at Selhurst Park as he is unable to secure a majority shareholding.
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