Keith Wyness drops ‘£70m signing’ verdict after confirmed Evangelos Marinakis and John Textor transfer news
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis and his relationship with John Textor does not appear to be breaking any rules.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who does not see a problem with how the pair operate together.
The Premier League could investigate transactions involving Marinakis and Textor between the clubs which they own.
Marinakis and Textor have been involved in many deals together, with Botafogo, owned by Textor, selling four players to Nottingham Forest in the last summer transfer window.
Keith Wyness ‘doesn’t see a problem’ with owners relationship
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – thinks it would be “very difficult” to prove whether Marinakis and Textor are working together to get around PSR rules.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks the relationship between the owners is “healthy” to have.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I don’t see a problem, to be honest. It’s a private business relationship between clubs. Nobody says you have to sell at a market value. I mean, who would put a market value on players?
“And I think there has been, I think, something like nine transactions, I think, with players. And yes, it may be that they help each other out in different ways. Now, of course, if it’s proven to circumnavigate the PSR rules, which is what I think you’re alluding to. That’s one thing to look at, but it’s very difficult to prove that.
“And I think if there is a consistent belief that Brazilian players are great to come into the league, some work, some don’t. So you might say, look, I’m going to lend you this one, or I’m selling you this one at a lower value, let’s say 10 million, and he turns out to be a world beater and he comes worth 50, 60, 70 million, then yes, I’d like more on my next deal with you.
“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that and I think it’s quite healthy to actually have that relationship.”
John Textor aiming to buy English club
Textor had to pull out of Crystal Palace in the summer as multi-club ownership rules stopped the Eagles from competing in the Europa League due to his involvement with Lyon.
The American has expressed interest in taking over Wolves, Sheffield Wednesday and Derby County since he left Crystal Palace.
Wolves and Derby are not openly up for sale, but Sheffield Wednesday are currently in the process of a takeover after going into administration.