Textor back in for Everton after Friedkin Group talks collapse

With the collapse last month of the exclusivity period between Everton and The Friedkin Group, there has been renewed speculation about how the club moves forward and who else might be interested in buying the Toffees.

At one point earlier in July it had seemed as though the Roma owner was getting closer to being able to complete a takeover and end the constant uncertainty that has hung over the Blues for two years now.

However, apparent concerns about the debt Everton owe to 777 Partners - who had been in a period of exclusivity and trying to takeover the club since last September before that fell apart at the beginning of June - killed off any hopes of a deal.

So it was a massive blow to Toffees supporters when the club announced that the talks and exclusivity with The Friedkin Group was off and the Blues were back to square one.

A process which has been going on for so long now and has included four seperate exclusive periods all of which have resulted in failure, makes for grim reading.

Although immediate cash-flow concerns appear to have been averted due to Premier League and TV money and income from player sales, Everton's long-term financial future is still highly uncertain.

It is not clear how long the current money will last and if or when it runs out, what then? Could the Blues even face administration?

Clearly, a new owner has to be found and soon to ensure none of these worst-case scenarios takes place, some stability is found, and investment in the team is forthcoming to enable Dyche and his players to make a sustained improvement on the pitch.

Several other potential investors who emerged after 777 Partner's attempted takeover ended, have been rumoured to be still interested, but so far no one has come forwards with a concrete offer.

Well until today, as The Guardian reports that John Textor is still very much in interested in a takeover and has put a fresh bid on the table.

The Crystal Palace co-owner who has a 45% stake in the South London club, wants to sell his shares in Palace and take a majority holding of Everton instead.

According to this story Textor is essentially making a bid on the same terms as his previous offer and would obviously have to get rid of his Palace shares before he could complete a takeover of the Blues.

That of course is the key issue. Although Textor is supposedly confident he can sell his stake in the Eagles quickly, any significant delay in doling so might well put the Toffees in a serious bind.

Like his compatriot Friedkin, Textor also has financial interests in several other football clubs including Lyon and Botafogo in Brazil but only his Palace shares affect any takeover of Everton.

In the meantime, once again Blues supporters are left in limbo waiting for a solution at last as these behind-the-scenes maneuverings go on and on.