John Textor trying to get one over on Everton as Crystal Palace ready £16.5m offer for midfielder

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Everton’s takeover saga has finally been drawn to an end over recent weeks with the new owners now holding the keys on Merseyside.

The Friedkin Group won the race to buy Everton from Farhad Moshiri with a number of other potential suitors interested.

One of those was John Textor who came really close to buying Everton before the Friedkins reignited their interest.

Now it is time for Everton to move on from a difficult few years under their previous regime with a brighter future being targeted.

But it appears Textor could be looking to get one over on the Toffees by rivalling them for one of their transfer targets this month.

• READ MORE: What the Everton players are saying about Sean Dyche behind the scenes is eye-opening

Crystal Palace to rival Everton for Maxence Caqueret 

Everton have shown an interest in Maxence Caqueret from Lyon ahead of the January window opening earlier this week.

The Frenchman is currently playing for Textor’s Lyon, who find themselves in financial trouble and need to offload players.

According to Foot Mercato, Crystal Palace have not prepared a five-year deal for the midfielder worth in the region of £16.5m.

It is claimed Caqueret turned down a move to Everton last summer and could now head to the Premier league with the Eagles keen.

The kicker is Textor owns majority shares in Palace which could prove a considerable advantage for Oliver Glasner’s side in negotiations.

Having successfully purchased the Toffees, the Friedkins were commended for their boardroom etiquette which was a large improvement on that shown by Textor.

The new Everton owners went about their business professionally and are unlikely to be fazed by anything Textor is looking to do.

• READ MORE: Farhad Moshiri masterclass as player Everton sold for £10m in June is set to join a third new club

Everton are keen to land new midfielder in January

With the window open for business, the Friedkins are eyeing a new midfielder for Everton as well as an additional forward.

Injuries have proven an issue for Dyche at Goodison with the likes of James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam having spent considerable time on the sidelines.

It has recently been claimed Everton have submitted a bid for Marcelino Nunez from Norwich City, but that bid was knocked back by the Championship side.

As a new midfielder is being eyed, Everton also need to make a decision on whether they will sign Orel Mangala permanently from Textor’s Lyon in the summer.