John Textor talks with Farhad Moshiri outlined in Everton takeover update
John Textor is keen to agree a deal with Farhad Moshiri to take over the controlling stake in Everton despite a stumbling block which could cause player sales, reports Alan Nixon.
Whilst the American businessman wants to buy the Toffees and Moshiri is eager to sell, Textor’s 43-per-cent holding in Crystal Palace restricts him from purchasing another club by Premier League regulations – he is seeking a grace period for the transition to take place by the league.
With Moshiri’s exclusivity period with 777 Partners to arrange a deal expiring, Lyon and Botafogo owner Textor is in the frame to add Everton to his empire – but if the hurdles are not overcome, players will have to be sold at Goodison Park to balance the books.
Nixon stats via his Patreon page [2 June]: “There could well be an overlap and time is vital for Everton who have to keep financing the club until they find a new owner.
“Player sales will be unavoidable if that goes on too long and that is something Textor wants to avoid.”
Who could leave Everton if the takeover stalls?
With obstacles seemingly hitting the Everton takeover plans at every turn, the next unfortunate step towards financing the club overheads and stadium development at Bramley-Moore Dock is to sell prized assets from the playing squad.
Jarrad Branthwaite is the Toffees player who would fetch the highest amount, with Jordan Pickford, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Amadou Onana behind.
Branthwaite has been the subject of intense speculation surrounding a move to Manchester United, who have been quoted at around £80million for the young centre-half, who is in contention for his England debut this month.
Reports claim Everton would sooner sell several other players than let Branthwaite go this summer [The Sunday Times], with Onana, also just 22, garnering attention from Arsenal and Manchester United as his agent appears to favour a move away for the Belgian.
Calvert-Lewin is wanted by Newcastle United, who are chasing a £25m deal for the England striker with Callum Wilson set to depart and Alexander Isak the subject of high-profile interest.
Pickford has long reiterated that he is happy at Goodison Park, despite reported interest from Chelsea and a deal almost struck with Tottenham Hotspur last year.
In other Everton news, a BBC journalist discusses the next steps of a potential takeover.
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