Everton’s takeover has dragged on for over 12 months now, with three separate suitors all trying their hand at completing a deal.
First, it was 777 Partners who came and went, before Dan Friedkin was next up to attempt to find a solution.
His efforts were hamstrung by the suitor before him, and in the end, few could blame him for bowing out.
The structure and scale of the debt accumulated at Goodison Park is ridiculous, and would scare off most interested parties.
But, not John Textor apparently.
Sky Sports provide John Textor takeover update
The latest on Everton’s touted takeover at the hands of Textor comes courtesy of Sky Sports, who have actually suggested the American is closing in on the completion of a deal, having taken a huge step towards that goal.
Naturally, there remained one outstanding hurdle in the form of his Crystal Palace shares, but that could well be sorted soon too as well, as the report notes.
It reads: ‘The leading contender to buy Everton Football Club is preparing to launch within days a plan to take his sports and technology holding company public at a valuation of over $2bn.
‘Sky News has learnt that John Textor, an American businessman, is to file documents with US regulators that will see Eagle Football Holdings become a US-listed company.
‘Eagle Football, which owns a 45% stake in Everton’s fellow Premier League club Crystal Palace, is likely to seek around $500m (£379m) of new funding from investors as part of its IPO plan, according to bankers.
‘One obstacle in the way of Mr Textor completing a takeover of Everton is the Premier League rules requiring the prior disposal of his stake in Crystal Palace.
‘Football insiders said he had received firm offers from two parties capable of executing a deal rapidly.’
It seems Everton are finally closing in on a completed takeover
At last, after such an arduous and tiresome process, it does seem like Everton are closing in on their much-needed takeover.
And it has certainly been a long time coming too, as aforementioned, spanning over a year now.
Without ownership, the club has been driving without direction or long-term strategy for so long, ever since Farhad Moshiri decided he no longer wanted any part in the Toffees.
Sean Dyche and Kevin Thelwell really have no chance if they are not going to be backed by a rich benefactor who genuinely has the club’s best interests at heart.
Textor has been clear that he sees a bright future at Everton, and this hopefully will spur the club on to such success. It’s the last this unwavering but exhausted fanbase deserves.
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