Leaked message shows Palace owner call Liverpool linked star likened to Messi an ‘a**hole’

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Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor appears to be in hot water having reportedly called of one of his Lyon players an ‘a**hole’.

The American businessman, who has a 45 per cent stake in Palace, was caught slamming Liverpool-linked Rayan Cherki and his entourage.

Cherki has regularly been linked with a Lyon exit
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Textor, who failed with a bid to buy fellow Premier League club Everton, is also the main shareholder of cash-strapped Lyon.

Highly-rated Cherki is among the most valuable players in the squad, with Liverpool said to be keeping tabs on a cut-price move.

The 21-year-old was the subject of strong transfer interest in the summer as he entered the final year of his contract, however, Lyon held firm over the attacker’s price tag.

In November, Textor warned suitors that Cherki will not be available for cheap, saying: “We lost €15million [£12.5m] from his potential sale [to Paris Saint-Germain] last summer, but now his value is way higher.

“He should stay in January, but it’s up to Rayan, as is always the case in football.”

Now, French outlet Foot Mercato have published a WhatsApp exchange said to be from Textor conducted at the start of the summer window.

The 59-year-old slammed Cherki and his entourage during supposed negotiations with Borussia Dortmund – who were credited with an interest in signing the player by reports in Germany last July.

Alleged messages from Textor to an unnamed rival European club president said: "It’s July 4th, and I’m still listening to this little a**hole who you would like to sign. Are you still interested?

"Dortmund has now spoken to us, for the first time, and I am happy to tell them to go f*** off… I just need to know that you still want the player. Thx."

A follow-up response saw Textor reply: "Terrific… I think the kid is a good kid. I think his team of people are total a**holes. I will send him a message tonight that Dortmund can f*** off. Thx!"

Leaked screenshots said to be from Textor went viral
X @footmercato
Textor has since confirmed he rejected offers for Cherki
X @footmercato

Cherki was also linked with a summer transfer to Lyon’s domestic rivals PSG before a move to Dortmund collapsed.

Towards the end of the window, Fulham agreed a £17m deal with Lyon for the French U21 international only for him to reject the move.

He ultimately stayed put at Lyon and was reintegrated into the first-team squad – extending his contract until 2026 in September.

Cherki has since scored three goals and laid on a further three assists in 13 Ligue 1 appearances this term.

The club’s homegrown talent has also registered six goal contributions in as many Europa League games under Pierre Sage.

He was also part of France’s squad that scooped an Olympic silver medal at the Paris 2024 Games.

Textor holds a 45 per cent stake in Crystal Palace
Getty

His progression has seen him compared to some of football’s greats, with a former OL president giving him the ultimate compliment.

"Cherki is comparable to (Lionel) Messi in terms of technical quality," Jean-Michel Aulas told Téléfoot.

However, the playmaker himself recently revealed he has been following the example set by the Argentine’s nemesis.

Cherki said: "I had lots of idols but the one that I think is the best and the example to follow is Cristiano Ronaldo.

"Regarding his work and his longevity, that is the example that you have to follow."

Textor meanwhile has a 45 per cent stake in Palace through Eagle Football Group but has been trying to sell his shares since February.

He 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.

Textor is believed to have held talks over a bid for Championship side Watford, as reported by talkSPORT at the end of last year.

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