John Textor Teams Up with Football Financier in Push to Buy Sheffield Wednesday
John Textor, a name familiar in the football investment world, is making waves again. This time, he’s joined forces with Keith Harris, a seasoned former investment banker, in a bid to acquire Sheffield Wednesday. Harris is no stranger to the football scene, having orchestrated takeovers at clubs like West Ham, Manchester City, and Aston Villa. His recent attempt to form a consortium to purchase Everton, though ultimately unsuccessful, showcased his persistent ambition.
Textor, who previously held a significant stake in Crystal Palace, is now eyeing Sheffield Wednesday, a club currently facing challenging times. His previous endeavor to buy Everton through his investment group, Eagle Football, didn’t pan out, despite being granted exclusivity. Interestingly, Textor and Harris weren’t initially partners in this venture. Their paths crossed through Harris’s involvement with Sportsbank, which had offered Textor a substantial £230 million to acquire a 45% stake in Eagle Football.
Eagle Football, Textor’s multi-club operation, already boasts ownership of Lyon, Botafogo, and the Belgian club RWD Molenbeek. Until recently, it was also the largest shareholder at Crystal Palace, before Textor sold his shares to Woody Johnson. This move has freed up Textor to explore new opportunities, with Sheffield Wednesday now in his sights.
The collaboration between Textor and Harris could be a game-changer for Sheffield Wednesday, a club in need of fresh investment and strategic direction. With Harris’s track record and Textor’s ambitious vision, the duo could potentially steer the club towards a brighter future. However, as with any high-stakes acquisition, the road ahead is fraught with challenges and uncertainties.
As the football world watches closely, the potential acquisition of Sheffield Wednesday by Textor and Harris promises to be an intriguing development. Whether this partnership will succeed where others have faltered remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the landscape of English football is ever-evolving, and this latest chapter is sure to keep fans and analysts alike on the edge of their seats.