Sport nationUS investor John Textor’s bid to acquire Everton FC has gained momentum with the backing of Aliya Capital Partners. Aliya, which previously supported Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover, will provide financing for the deal and receive a co-chairman position and board seat at Everton.
Textor, who owns stakes in several football clubs worldwide, is seeking to acquire the English Premier League team despite its £500 million debt. Everton’s owner, Farhad Moshiri, has struggled to find a buyer, with previous bids from 777 Partners LLC and Dan Friedkin collapsing.
Aliya’s investment will give Textor the necessary funding to complete the takeover. In return, Aliya will have the option to hold Everton shares long-term or convert them into stock in Eagle Football Holdings LLC, an investment vehicle owned by Textor, with a guaranteed minimum 3X return.
The deal is subject to Premier League ownership rules, which require Textor to dispose of his stake in Crystal Palace FC before acquiring Everton. Entrepreneur Alexander Bafer has also expressed support for Textor’s bid.
Everton FC, a founding member of the English Football League, has avoided relegation from the Premier League despite heavy investment from Moshiri. The club’s new stadium at Bramley Dock in Liverpool has contributed to its debt.
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Amina Umar