Crystal Palace investor John Textor appears to be trying to use the Eagles as some form of guarantor to finalise his purchase of Lyon.
That’s according to L’Equipe, who say there is mounting ‘pressure’ to get the deal for the French giants over the line.
L’Equipe report that the purchase of Lyon is ‘still missing the seal’, with Textor yet to finalise things and Lyon’s current owners starting to worry.
There is not quite a stalemate at this moment in time, but the soap opera is one that ‘never ends’ despite the sale to the Crystal Palace man seemingly being ‘imminent’.
All the financial elements for the deal have been brought together but the operation has been suspended as they are waiting for an agreement between Crystal Palace and the Premier League.
However, it has now been two weeks since the documents were due to arrive, and the French giants are ‘losing their patience somewhat’.
They called a press conference yesterday alongside Textor in an attempt to calm the waters, mentioning his need for “additional time to finalise these various stages” but the newspaper says there was still an air off impatience and ambiguity.
It also ended on the note that those selling Lyon will make another decision on Sunday evening, which appears to be an ultimatum from Lyon’s current ownership.
As they see it, there is a brake and an obstacle in the way of the sale. The brake is the recent rise of the Euro against the Dollar, which increases the sale price, and the hurdle would be Crystal Palace’s reluctance to be transferred to Eagle Football holiday and ‘offer themselves as surety’ for Textor.
L’Equipe say that according to a source at Selhurst Park the chances of that obstacle being lifted imminently are slim, meaning this saga could rumble on for some time yet.
