NEW YORK JETS owner Woody Johnson has launched a bid to buy John Textor’s minority stake in Crystal Palace, according to reports.
Textor, 59, has been trying to flog his shares as Uefa threaten to throw Palace out of next season’s Europa League.
Woody Johnson has launched a bid for Crystal Palace[/caption]
The Eagles qualified for the Europa League by virtue of lifting the FA Cup last month.
As Textor, who owns a 43 per cent stake in Palace, is majority owner of French side Lyon, who have also qualified for the Europa League, the Eagles’ place in Europe has come under threat.
Uefa rules dictate that two teams under the same ownership cannot compete in the same competition.
Textor could have placed his shares into a blind trust by March 1 to avoid this issue, but with Palace’s FA Cup triumph still appearing to be a long shot at the time, the American businessman did not.
Palace chiefs are currently desperately trying to convince Uefa bigwigs that Textor has no involvement in day-to-day goings on at the club.
The Missouri-native has long been thought to be trying to flog his shares.
And according to Sky Sports, Jets owner Johnson has made a bid.
Johnson, 78, served as US ambassador to the UK during Donald Trump‘s first administration.
Last month it was reported that the New Jersey-native may even try to buy a controlling stake in the Eagles.
Long-serving chairman Steve Parish owns around 10 per cent of the South London club, having helped to save them from going bust in 2010.
Americans David Blitzer and Josh Harris own 36 per cent, with Textor possessing a 43 per cent stake.
Parish and Textor are said to have fallen out in 2023.
And last year, the latter attempted to buy Everton, before being beaten by compatriot Dan Friedkin.
Johnson bought the New York Jets in 2000, with the NFL franchise now estimated to be worth around $6.9bn.
Under Johnson’s ownership the Jets moved to MetLife Stadium, where next year’s World Cup final will be held.
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