Everton takeover collapse update as club issue statement to play down John Textor claims
Everton fans should not be concerned about the John Textor takeover after the club played down progress towards a deal, says Alan Myers.
The Sky Sports journalist responded to a fan via X on 12 September to allay fears after the Toffees released an official statement the same day indicating there was still “work to be done”, distancing themselves from Textor’s recent claims.
The American followed up an extensive Sky Sports interview with Myers on 11 September where he talked up progress, holding a press conference at Lyon in which he said he felt there was a 90% chance of getting the takeover done [Le Progres, 11 September].
The apparent disconnect between the two sides has sparked fears for some fans that the deal could collapse like so many predecessors, but Myers says otherwise.
Asked if supporters should be worried of Textor pulling out he said: “Don’t believe so.”
Dan Friedkin pulled out of his Everton takeover
Evertonians can be excused for feeling antsy when it comes to any potential hiccups in the takeover practice when Textor is now the fifth party to enter into exclusive negotiations with Farhad Moshiri.
The Kaminski Group, MSP Sports Capital, 777 Partners and the Friedkin Group have all come and gone without success.
Dan Friedkin’s sudden withdrawal in July came as a major blow to fans who had started to believe the long-awaited new era was within touching distance.
He abandoned the deal over concerns relating to debts owed to his predecessors 777 [The Athletic, 20 July], with Textor now faced with debts owed to both Friedkin and 777 if he gets that far.
He still has to sell his 45% share of Crystal Palace before he can tackle the situation at Goodison Park, but confirmed to Myers the Sky News report on 26 August that he now has a pair of strong offers for that holding.
Textor certainly can’t be accused of lacking enthusiasm towards the prospect of owning Everton, but the club’s less excitable response probably indicates how complicated the matter remains in practice.
He talks a good game but obviously has to back it up with actions, starting with a sale of his Palace shares, if he is to be taken entirely seriously.
Some familiar with the process don’t believe he is and instead feel Friedkin will be back [Paul Brown, 29 August].
And while Textor is reportedly confident he can wrap a deal with Moshiri within a month the realities of the situation are expected to mean Premier League approval would take a lot longer [Guardian, 10 September].
His own claims may be premature but it sounds like fears of a collapse are also wide of the mark, with the process somewhere in between as things stand.
In other Everton news, a legal update has emerged on the impact of Alisher Usmanov suing Moshiri on the takeover picture.
