Crystal Palace co-owner eyes selling £230m stake to buy EFL club after missing out on Everton
11/05/2024 04:40 AM
Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor is lining up a takeover bid for Championship club Watford, talkSPORT understands.
American businessman Textor has a 45 per cent stake in Palace through Eagle Football Group.
He has been trying to sell his shares since February due to a stand-off with fellow owners – Steve Parish, Josh Harris and David Blitzer.
Textor recently failed with a bid to buy fellow Premier League club Everton, who are set to be taken over by The Friedkin Group following a lengthy, drawn-out sale by Farhad Moshiri.
Now, Textor has turned his attention to the second tier of English football, as first reported by The Sun.
Watford chief Gino Pozzo put ten per cent of his shares up for sale last summer.
It is understood the Italian would be open to offers on a full sale, and wants in the region of £150m to £175m.
Textor is believed to have held talks over a bid for Watford, while speaking to other investors about setting up a possible consortium.
The 59-year-old is vastly experienced in the world of football ownership – with Ligue 1 giants Lyon, Brazilian league leaders Botafogo and Belgium's RWD Molenbeek also under his remit.
It is thought Watford appeal to him as they are also part of a multi-club project, alongside Serie A side Udinese.
However, Textor must first find a way to shift his 45 per cent stake in Palace.
Boyhood Palace fans Zechariah Janjua and Navshir Jaffer are thought to have made an offer through investment group Sportsbank.
Textor’s fellow Americans Harris and Blitzer could buy him out – with the price set at £230m.
The Eagles are currently 17th in the Premier League table following a difficult start to the 2024/25 campaign.
Oliver Glasner’s side have won just one of their opening ten matches.
Watford, meanwhile, have made a bright start to the campaign under Tom Cleverley.
The former midfielder has the Hornets fifth in the Championship table and seven points off league leaders Sunderland.
