Majority shareholder of Olympique Lyonnais since last December, John Textor has new ambitions. The American businessman is trying to find new investors for his Eagle Football holding, which owns shares in other clubs.
Rather discreet since taking power, John Textor has left the management of Olympique Lyonnais to President Jean-Michel Aulas. The majority shareholder of the Rhone club will be content with a few appearances, as when he came to watch Les Gones win against Grenoble (2-1) in the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France last month. It must be said that the American is active on an important file.
Textor is looking for new investors
According to information from Bloomberg, John Textor is looking for new investors for his company Eagle Football. The holder of 80% of the shares of Olympique Lyonnais had already relied on the investment fund Ares to finance its takeover last December. A debt that the Lyon boss thought he would repay over time. But nearly three months later, the businessman, who has surrounded himself with an adviser, is working for a possible fundraiser.
John Textor is currently in contact with several investors likely to increase the financial capacity of Eagle Football, the holding company used by the manager to buy the shares of Olympique Lyonnais and other clubs around the world. Among those contacted are some Eagle Football investors who did not participate in the takeover of the French club.
According to information from England, John Textor should inject additional funds into OL! ????
A good omen for next season? ????#TeamOL pic.twitter.com/eJ4lpkPnRv
— ???????????????????????????????? (@GonebackOff) March 10, 2023
As a reminder, John Textor’s company also has stakes in Botafogo in Brazil, Belgian club Molenbeek and Premier League outfit Crystal Palace, whose team is coached by Frenchman Patrick Vieira. It remains to be seen whether the fundraising will have an influence on the future of Olympique Lyonnais. Contacted by the American media, a representative of Eagle Football did not wish to mention the extent of the desired capital increase.
