John Textor, the chairman of the Eagle Football group and President of Lyon has revealed his confidence in completing a takeover of English Premier League club Everton.
The American businessman made the announcement during a press conference at the training center of his French club, Lyon, on Wednesday.
Textor, who already owns a substantial stake in Everton’s Premier League rivals Crystal Palace, stated that there is a “90 percent chance” of the Everton deal going through. However, he acknowledged that the current owner, Farhad Moshiri, has other options to consider.
In August, Moshiri reportedly granted Textor a period of exclusivity to explore a potential takeover of Everton. Textor has confirmed that he intends to purchase the club “in my own name,” indicating that the acquisition would be financed personally rather than through Eagle Football.
Eagle Football, which also owns Botafogo (Brazilian league leaders) and Molenbeek (relegated to the Belgian second division), has a 46 percent stake in Crystal Palace. Textor acquired the majority of these stakes individually before combining them under the Eagle Football umbrella in November 2022. Lyon joined the group the following month.
Due to Premier League regulations, Textor is required to sell his Crystal Palace stake before he can proceed with the Everton takeover. He has explained that the proceeds from this sale will be used to repay part of Eagle Football’s debts and invest in developing academies and recruiting talent worldwide.
Textor has emphasized that the Everton takeover would not have any negative impact on Lyon. In fact, he believes that the two clubs could form a beneficial partnership. “It will be debt-free,” he added, highlighting the financial stability of the deal.
As the negotiations for the Everton takeover continue, Textor’s confidence and determination suggest that a successful outcome is increasingly likely. The potential acquisition would mark a significant step for Eagle Football and further solidify Textor’s position as a prominent figure in the world of football.
