Everton takeover: John Textor could complete immediate deal – Keith Wyness
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed John Textor could seal an immediate takeover at the club with permission from the Premier League.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – claimed the US-based investor could put his Crystal Palace shares into a “blind trust”, allowing him to take over on Merseyside.
According to The Sun (2 June), Textor has asked the Premier League for a grace period to save Everton while still co-owning Palace.
The report claims he is the “leading candidate” to buy the Toffees after the collapse of 777 Partners’ takeover deal.
Textor owns 45% of Crystal Palace but is looking to offload his stake at the club to become the majority owner at Everton.
He has majority stakes in French giants Lyon, Brazillian side Botafago and Belgian outfit RWD Molenbeek.
Premier League key to approving immediate Textor takeover at Everton, says Wyness
Wyness claimed the situation is “intriguing” but admitted it is “something which has never been done before”.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “The one potential deal which has been in the media is John Textor.
“What has been interesting is that it’s been reported that he is in discussions with the Premier League to see if they can find a way for him to hang on to his Crystal Palace stake.
“He’ll then divest that shareholding while he buys his way into Everton.
“This is similar to the way clubs like Man City and Man United are allowed two teams in European competition.
“That involves putting the shares into a kind of blind trust which he no longer controls.
“In theory, that would be the way Textor could get into Everton straight away. The Premier League could manage that blind trust until the shares are sold, and he’d have no say in Palace’s management.
“That’s an intriguing possibility, but it’s something which has never been done before.
“It would allow Textor to bid for Everton. Whether he’s the right solution, I’m not sure – I’ve got some questions about him.”
In other news, Everton “confident” of midfielder deal as Tottenham swoop.
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