Crystal Palace’s co-owner John Textor has confirmed he is attempting to sell his stake in the club and would consider investing in Everton.
The US businessman, who also has shareholdings in Lyon, Botafogo and Molenbeek via his Eagle Football Holdings company, has been exploring the sale of his 45% stake in Palace for some time and has appointed the investment banking firm Raine to find a buyer.
Textor said in a statement on Friday that he wanted out of Palace because it was “not a perfect fit” for a multi-club ownership model. He would be interested in investing in another Premier League club, providing he sells the Palace shareholding, with Everton a possible but complicated option.
Everton’s owner, Farhad Moshiri, has extended a share purchase agreement with 777 Partners until 31 May, despite problems at the Miami-based investment firm and its inability to conclude a deal after eight months. Moshiri told Everton’s fan advisory board this week that he had received approaches from other interested parties. Textor claims to be among them.
The Palace co-owner told the Athletic: “Yes [he has discussed Everton]. With the existing constituents – different groups, different lenders, different equity holders. 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.”
Everton’s need for a resolution to their takeover uncertainty is pressing, and Textor cast doubt over any investment on his part. He is also understood to be interested in buying another unnamed Premier League club and has shown an interest in clubs in the Championship, with his Eagle Football group said to be eager to find a collaborative partner in English football as soon as possible.
Textor said: “We’re also looking at other opportunities and we don’t need to jump right out of Palace right into something. That’d be a mistake. I suspect that the problem with Everton is it won’t be available by the time we would be ready for it. You can’t own two clubs in one league and we’re not going to rush the situation at Palace, no matter how good another opportunity looks.”
Textor is believed to be reluctant to depart Selhurst Park but has become frustrated about the lack of influence he has at the south London club despite being its biggest shareholder. He fell out with the chairman, Steve Parish, who now owns less than 10% of Palace but retains the casting vote in the boardroom, last year when completing the purchase of Lyon. Textor is understood to have played a key role in the appointment of Oliver Glasner as manager in February and has enjoyed a close relationship with sporting director Dougie Freedman, who rejected an approach from Newcastle United this week.
