Everton enjoyed a busy transfer window, where they bolstered well and could have easily ended with even more new faces.
Amidst all that fanfare though, there was one curious trend that emerged throughout the summer, with a relationship forming between the two clubs.
Speaking to finance expert Adam Williams about Everton’s summer transfer business, it was hard not to overlook the undeniable newfound connection between the Toffees and Lyon.
After all, Jake O’Brien was the first to swap France for Merseyside, before Orel Mangala followed suit on deadline day.
Ernest Nuamah was another who nearly made the switch too.
John Textor could be ‘bad news’
Asking about whether John Textor might have played a role in this, Williams exclusively offered his opinion to Everton.News: ‘Some have suggested that Textor is already running Everton as though it is part of his multi-club network.
‘I don’t think that’s quite the situation that we have here, but the transactions between Lyon and Everton are indicative of the relationships that have been formed between the two clubs via the exclusivity process.
‘When you sign heads of terms with a club who you wish to invest in, you are granted access to the ‘data room’.
‘Essentially, this means you get oversight of almost every minutiae of the club’s finances and operations.
‘That process requires very deep collaboration between both parties, so in some ways it is no surprise to see that a close strategic connection appears to have been formed.
‘One thing that is worth noting is that, just like commercial deals, player transfers can also be scrutinised for fair market value.
‘That means that, in theory at least, Textor would be unable to engineer inflated deals to help doctor the balance sheets of either club, or to help either’s FFP/PSR situation.
‘Lyon had a strange transfer window. Their net spend was nearly £100m, which was comfortably the highest in Ligue 1. There have been well-documented issues with the TV deal in France that meant no one anticipated that they would have the bandwidth to spend that much.
‘Suggestions that they also had major FFP issues and needed to generate nearly £100m in player sales were also refuted by Textor.
‘I think this gives you a flavour of how Textor would run Everton in the wider orbit of his multi-club group, Eagle Football.
‘Frankly, I think the model is bad news for the wider health of the game. But from Textor’s point of view, you can pool some costs, trade players to mutually benefit each club, and create commercial synergy.
‘His approach would be different to Dan Friedkin’s had he taken over. Roma and Everton would have been run as two related but standalone entities, whereas I suspect Textor’s plan is to create synergies across Eagle Football.’
Football’s loss is Everton’s gain
Realistically, if Textor comes in and makes the Toffees a success with this business model, there are few around Goodison Park, soon to be the Bramley-Moore Dock stadium, who will complain.
After all, Newcastle United have already showcased their ability to cast a blind eye to the misdeeds of their ownership, so Everton have every right to do the same.
Especially given that Textor’s plans would not be hurting anyone, but rather just challenge the moral fibre of the sport.
Evertonians have been dealt a rough hand for what feels like forever now, having been languishing in the Premier League ever since its inception with very little impetus to improve.
Hopefully, a new owner can change that, and however he manages to accomplish it will be welcomed by this fanbase.
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