Everton Acknowledge 'Work to be Done' on John Textor Takeover

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LONDON – Everton, currently facing difficulties, downplayed potential new owner John Textor's remarks about nearing a takeover of the English Premier League club on Sept 12, stating that "there is still work to be completed".

In an interview a day earlier, the American businessman – who has a 45 per cent share in top-flight rivals Crystal Palace which he has to offload before he can buy Everton – said the deadline to complete a deal with Toffees owner Farhad Moshiri was Nov 30 but he felt an agreement could be done before then.

But Everton, bottom of the Premier League after three defeats in their first three games, have distanced themselves from Textor’s assessment of the situation.

“The club is aware of the comments made by John Textor in relation to a potential purchase of the club,” they said.

“While positive conversations and progress continues to be made with Mr Textor to formalise any deal with him, there remains some work to be done to complete the transaction.

“Accordingly, the comments made by Mr Textor merely represent his personal view on club matters.”

In an interview with , Textor said the opportunity to become the new owner of Everton was like being asked if he would like to become the president of the United States.

Textor, the fifth bidder to have been granted a period of exclusivity by Moshiri, added that he had no plans to sack manager Sean Dyche.

But he said: “I’d sit down with him at some point in the future and say that I’m going to bring him a very different profile of player from any corner of the world and ask him if he is interested. I’d ask him if he could coach this squad.”

Dyche, who is in the final year of his contract with the Merseyside club, brushed aside concerns about his future at his press conference on Sept 12 ahead of a Premier League trip to Aston Villa on Sept 14.

“If you are the prospective owner you probably want to build a relationship or certainly know the manager’s thoughts in any situation,” he said.

“I don’t think there is any uncertainty. I made it clear a month ago the bigger picture of the club is the main focus and the club is still nowhere near where it wants to be.

“The ambition here changes weekly (with) different stories – it’s going to be sold, it’s not going to be sold, you’re here, you’re not here. I’ve heard it all since I’ve been here and I’ve only been here 20 months.” AFP