Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor says he wants to sell his majority 45% stake in the club and is “watching” the protracted takeover of Everton by 777 Partners.
American businessman Textor has instructed Raine Group to find a prospective buyer for his share in Palace, which is owned through his Eagle Football Holdings company.
Everton owner Farhad Moshiri is in a period of exclusivity with 777 Partners until May 31 – but Textor could step in if they do not complete the deal.
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“I’m very open-minded to it but I don’t want to come into a situation where I’m not really welcome,” Textor told The Athletic.
“I’m watching it but 777 still has a contract. There are people who 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.”
Rooftop views (ft. Goodison Park) 👀 PIC.TWITTER.COM/46VDUZZODR
— Everton Stadium (@EvertonStadium) MAY 20, 2024
Everton takeover news: Textor interest
Eagle Football also owns majority stakes in French side Lyon, Brazilian first division club Botafogo and Belgian team RWD Molenbeek, but they cannot buy another Premier League club without relinquishing their Palace stake.
Palace finished the season in 10th place following a fine late run under new manager Oliver Glasner.
“Why would we sell just when things are getting so good?” asked Textor. “Well, Eagle Football is known to employ a highly integrated sporting model across its football clubs, with an unprecedented amount of scouting collaboration and player movement within the family of clubs.
“As proud as we are to have been a part of the resurgence of Crystal Palace, it remains true that Crystal Palace is an independent club, run by a man with a steady hand [chairman Steve Parish] who has achieved a level of sustainability that is incredibly uncommon in today’s Premier League.
“An integrated sporting model such as ours at Eagle is simply not a perfect fit for Crystal Palace.”
Moshiri told Everton fans this week that he has had offers for the club which he cannot engage with until the sales purchase agreement with 777 Partners expires, according to inews.
The outlet cited an insider as saying that there is “virtually no chance” of the deal with 777 Partners, which Moshiri agreed to in September, being completed.
