Everton ownership saga takes fresh twist as Crystal Palace part-owner plots shock takeover

The saga surrounding Everton’s ownership has taken another dramatic turn, with Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor emerging as the surprise leading candidate to buy the Merseyside club.

According to Sky Sports News, the American businessman is intensifying his efforts to acquire Farhad Moshiri’s majority stake and is now considered the front-runner to take over the club. 

Textor has previously revealed his desire to purchase the Merseyside club and has already put his stake in Palace up for grabs as he aims to complete the Everton takeover.

He has enlisted the help of banking firm Raine Group to seek buyers for his stake in Palace, who finished the 2023/24 season in the top half of the Premier League table.

American investment firm 777 Partners have long been touted as potential new Everton owners. But their financial problems have seen their deal linger for up to eight months without any concrete progress.

777 are yet to meet the Premier League’s conditions to finalise their takeover, while the Miami-based firm are also battling legal cases, having been accused of fraud. 

Textor’s interest in Everton is a recent development, but it appears to be moving at a rapid pace, with the American businessman eager to acquire Moshiri’s 94.1 stake in the club.

His emergence as a leading candidate comes after Moshiri revealed he has received “unsolicited approaches” from other parties interested in buying the club.

Moshiri had previously agreed to extend the sale and agreement with the troubled 777, but they are unlikely to finalise their proposed takeover before Friday’s deadline.

Another twist could emerge in the form of MSP Sports Capital. The firm holds a £158 million loan over Everton, granting them the right to take over the club stake should the Toffees default.

MSP’s initial attempt to buy the club outright last year fell through, but their presence could benefit Textor.

A scenario where MSP takes temporary ownership would provide Textor with breathing room to offload his 45% Palace stake before launching a bid for Everton.