Everton Owner Grants Exclusivity to Textor

Everton owner Farhad Moshiri has granted an exclusivity period to Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor, who seeks to acquire a majority stake in the Premier League club. Discussions are ongoing, but a deal is not imminent. Textor is the latest suitor for Everton following the collapse of talks with 777 Partners and the Friedkin Group this summer. Textor’s potential purchase is contingent upon him selling his 45% stake in Crystal Palace, as Premier League rules forbid individuals from owning multiple clubs.

Everton declined to comment on the situation when approached by BBC Sport. Everton manager Sean Dyche addressed the situation ahead of his team’s Premier League opener against Brighton, expressing hope for a resolution while acknowledging his inability to influence the sale process. Dyche emphasized focusing on his team’s performance and managing what he can control, rather than the club’s ownership issues. He noted limited communication with Moshiri, suggesting no significant updates on the matter.

Textor, through his company Eagle Football Holdings, holds stakes in several clubs including Lyon, Botafogo and Molenbeek. He previously criticized Palace fan protests against his ownership but expressed a long-term commitment to his clubs. In May, Textor confirmed his interest in buying Everton and signaled a willingness to sell his Palace stake if necessary.

Palace chairman Steve Parish confirmed that Textor’s departure would be amicable and acknowledged the challenges of managing his multi-club setup. He indicated that Palace would assist Textor in his transition. Previously, 777 Partners had agreed to buy Moshiri’s 94% stake but missed their deadline for completion. The Friedkin Group also exited negotiations after initially agreeing to an exclusivity period and providing a £200m loan during their bid.