Woody Johnson John Textor Crystal Palace
(Credit: Getty Images/Imago)
Stefan Borson
Sun 22 June 2025 12:56, UK
Crystal Palace are facing a takeover issue despite Woody Johnson edging closer to agreeing a deal with John Textor.
Textor is open to selling his stake in the Premier League side to allow them to play in the Europa League next season.
Textor’s ownership of Lyon has presented a stumbling block after the French side have also qualified for the Europa League, with Uefa’s rules prohibiting clubs controlled by the same owners or directors from competing in the same European competition.
BBC Sport reported on 19 June Textor is advancing in talks with Johnson to sell his shares at Selhurst Park.
However, finance expert Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider it could take up to three months for the Premier League to ratify the sale as Textor holds 25 per cent of the voting rights at Palace.
Johnson, who owns the New York Jets, was formerly the US ambassador to the UK between 2017 and 2021.
Everton
John Textor has been looking to sell his Crystal Palace stake (Credit: Getty Images)
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES
Premier League to green light Crystal Palace takeover deal
Borson insisted Johnson will pass the Premier League’s owners’ and directors’ test, but that is unlikely to take place before Uefa rules on Palace’s position in the Europa League.
He told Football Insider: “Some of the press are saying that there is a deal that’s close to agreement in principle with the New York Jets owner that will see a sale of the entire Textor stake for about $200million (£148.6million).
“The problem with that is, because of the size of the stake and because it’s got 25 per cent of voting rights, from what I can see, the new owner needs to go through the Premier League ownership test.
“The Premier League ownership test is not going to be completed for two to three months. We know that from the Everton case and also from the Manchester United case with Ratcliffe.
“Both of those deals took between two to three months, so there’s no possibility that the whole deal can be completed before Uefa make their decision one way or the other. I still think there’s some risk. I still think on balance they will get there.
“I’m not completely confident and partly I’m not confident because they seem to be scrambling around to try and do things that are not really achievable.
“Woody Johnson will pass the test. Woody Johnson has been the former ambassador. He will pass the owners’ and directors’ test, but that’s not the point.
“It was always obvious that Ratcliffe would pass the test, but you’ve still got to go through the process.
“I just don’t see that a conditional deal, and it will always be conditional until you get the approval, I just don’t see that a conditional deal is going to mean that Uefa wave it through if that is the key issue.”
Club Stake (%)
Crystal Palace (England) 43
Botafogo (Brazil) 90
Olympique Lyonnais (France) 77.49
RWD Molenbeek (Belgium) 80
Eagle Football Holdings’ portfolio
Newcastle and Arsenal race to sign Crystal Palace star
In terms of a potential exit at Selhurst Park, Football Insider revealed on 15 June Newcastle United and Arsenal are racing to sign Marc Guehi this summer.
The England international wants to play regularly at the highest level, with a starting place under Thomas Tuchel at the 2026 World Cup at the forefront of his mind.
Palace could cash in on the 24-year-old this summer as his contract is set to expire in June 2026.
For more Crystal Palace and exclusive news, follow us onFacebook or join our brand newWhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.
Related Posts