'I Won't Be Happy' - Keith Wyness concerned by new Everton takeover twist

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has insisted he “won’t be happy” if John Textor sells shares to fans to get his takeover deal over the... The post 'I Won't Be Happy' - Keith Wyness concerned by new Everton takeover twist appeared first on Football Insider.

Sep 23, 2024 - 07:00

'I Won't Be Happy' - Keith Wyness concerned by new Everton takeover twist

Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has insisted he “won’t be happy” if John Textor sells shares to fans to get his takeover deal over the line.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – claimed the US investor should not be “relying on fan money” to seal a buyout.

According to The Guardian (10 September), Textor is considering giving Everton fans the chance to buy shares in the club if he succeeds in his £600million bid to take control from Farhad Moshiri.

The report claims American is preparing to float his holding company Eagle Football Group on the New York Stock Exchange this month – and is seeking around £400million in funding.

Eagle owns Lyon, Botafogo in Brazil and the Belgian club RWD Molenbeek and has a 45% stake in Crystal Palace.

Textor will need to sell his share in Palace before a takeover at Everton is approved.

Textor plans to sell Everton shares could be a bad sign, says Wyness

Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “I know there would be interest from a lot of Everton fans.

“I was a shareholder until recently, and very few shares were available.

“He’d have to set a price and there would be a chance for fans to buy in.

“I’d be very interested to see how many shares he wants to put forward, and whether this would be a major way for Textor to help his finances.

“I won’t be happy if that’s the case. If he’s relying on fan money to get this over the line, that wouldn’t be a good sign.

“But if he’s doing it as a way to get fans involved – that’s a whole other debate.

“I’ve been around many clubs where fans just want the certificate to hang over the fireplace. Nothing ever happens, they’re not interested in the valuation or trying to make money.