John Textor advances on genuine attempt to buy Everton amid Crystal Palace exit plan
John Textor’s increasing moves towards a potential Everton takeover are believed to be genuine, according to Alan Myers.
The Sky Sports journalist responded via Twitter on 28 May to a question over whether the part-owner of Crystal Palace’s emergence as the new frontrunner to buy the Toffees was a “smokescreen”, indicating his belief that it isn’t.
It had been reported the previous night that Textor is looking to sell his holding at Selhurst Park in order to buy Farhad Moshiri’s shares in Everton, and that the American was now at the front of the queue.
This comes as 777 Partners’ months-long attempt to buy the club this season looks to be on life-support amid extensive turmoil for the firm.
Myers wrote in reply to smokescreen question: “I’ve no reason to think that [to be honest].”
Farhad Moshiri to sell Everton to John Textor as 777 Partners fall?
There is clearly some intent on Textor’s part to get involved at Goodison Park, but it looks an unusual way of going about it to announce as much publicly when he is still tied to Palace.
He can’t buy Everton without getting rid of his share of the South London side and it would seem to weaken his negotiating position with regards to the latter if it is widely known what his plans are.
After weeks of alternative bidders said to be waiting in the wings to replace the doomed 777 bid it is at least a name that can be assessed, although it is seen as unlikely that he is one of the rival offers alluded to by Moshiri recently [Paul Brown, 24 May].
If nothing else Textor’s sudden emergence as a real player in the ever-shifting ownership saga at Goodison Park seemingly demonstrates the attractiveness of the club despite the extensive issues surrounding it.
However, Toffees analyst The Esk (28 May) has dismissed the Lyon and Botafogo owner’s chances of taking over Everton.
While it remains to be seen whether he is accurate his view likely carries some weight now that his long-held position that 777 could not and would not succeed in buying the club appears to have been proven right.
In other Everton news, the Toffees are targeting a high-profile new arrival with a star man now expected to leave.
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