Everton takeover concerns involving John Textor have resurfaced after fresh analysis claimed his proposed involvement at the club was never financially viable.
The Toffees’ long-running ownership uncertainty may now be settled, but questions remain over how close they came to a very different outcome. According to analyst and lifelong Everton supporter Paul Quinn, the idea of Textor taking control was flawed from the start.
Everton takeover doubts around John Textor explained
Quinn, who has gained attention among Botafogo supporters for his breakdown of Eagle Football’s collapse, says he immediately dismissed Textor as a credible option when his interest in Everton emerged in 2024.
Speaking to Brazilian outlet O Globo, he pointed to both regulatory and financial barriers.
“I knew this wasn’t possible due to his stake in Crystal Palace and the high debt levels within his multi-club operations.” — Paul Quinn, via O Globo
Textor’s position as a shareholder in Crystal Palace raised immediate complications under Premier League rules, while concerns over his financial structure added further doubt.
Eagle Football collapse highlights financial risks
The debate has intensified following the recent collapse of Textor’s Eagle Football group, which entered administration at the end of March after pressure from main creditor Ares Capital.
Administrators are now seeking buyers for assets including Botafogo, Olympique Marseille and RWDM, bringing renewed scrutiny to the model behind the group.
Quinn argues the warning signs were always visible. From his analysis, the structure relied heavily on external borrowing rather than sustainable revenue streams.
Debt-driven model questioned by analyst
According to Quinn, Textor’s approach depended on high-cost loans and internal financial balancing between clubs, rather than long-term stability.
“He relied entirely on extremely costly loans… Eagle was unsustainably leveraged and was using Botafogo to subsidize the rest of the business.” — Paul Quinn
That model, he suggests, left the entire operation exposed once financial pressure increased. Without sufficient capital or cash flow, maintaining multiple clubs became increasingly difficult.
Based on recent ownership situations we’ve covered, multi-club structures can offer advantages when managed carefully, but they also carry risk when built on aggressive financing. However, it remains too early to draw firm conclusions about how this will shape future ownership models across football.
What this means for Everton moving forward
For Everton, Quinn’s analysis reinforces the idea that the club avoided a potentially unstable ownership situation.
At a time when financial uncertainty was already a major concern, a takeover built on significant debt could have introduced further risk rather than stability.
Having followed Everton closely during that period, the focus was always on finding an owner capable of providing long-term security. This situation suggests the club may have avoided a more complicated scenario by not progressing with Textor.
Key Insights
- Paul Quinn dismissed John Textor as a viable Everton owner in 2024
- Concerns centred on debt levels and multi-club ownership structure
- Eagle Football has since entered administration
- Assets including Botafogo and Marseille are now up for sale
- The case highlights risks linked to heavily leveraged ownership models
What’s next for Everton?
Everton’s ownership situation is now more stable, but scrutiny around potential investors is unlikely to disappear. The club’s recent history means financial credibility will remain a key factor in any future decisions.
Meanwhile, developments around Eagle Football’s administration could continue to shape wider discussions about ownership models in football.
Do you think Everton dodged a major risk by not pursuing a takeover involving John Textor?
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