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Crystal Palace part-owner John Textor has signed an agreement to sell his stake in the club to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson, sources close to the deal have confirmed.
The deal, believed to be worth close to £190m, is subject to Premier League approval.
It remains to be seen whether the deal boosts Palace’s fight to be cleared to play in European football next season.
BBC Sport reported on
In an in depth interview with Sky, Textor was asked about the challenges of completing the deal, pressure from Everton supporters and the club’s new stadium on Bramley-Moore Dock.
Textor became the latest party in the frame to take over the Toffees after talks broke down with both 777 Partners and the Friedkin Group this summer.
Through his company Eagle Football Holdings, Textor already has a number of stakes in
Any deal with Everton is dependent on Textor selling his stake in Crystal Palace, as Premier League rules prohibit individuals from owning more than one team.
“We have a significant number of parties active in our process, we have received strong indications from qualified buyers, and we believe strongly that we can complete a sale of our interests to continue moving forward with the next community we hope to serve,
Through his company Eagle Football Holdings, the 58-year-old Textor already has a number of stakes in other clubs, including Lyon in France, Brazilian side Botafogo and Belgian club Molenbeek.
In a revealing BBC Sport interview in February, Textor called protests against his ownership by some Palace fans “nonsense” and “misguided”, but said he was “in it for the long game”.
“No, I don’t want to run [Palace] one day,” he
Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor says he is trying to sell his majority stake in the club and holds an interest in buying Everton, or a club in the Championship.
The American businessman owns a 45% stake in Palace with his company Eagle Football Holdings, and has instructed Raine Group to find a prospective buyer.
Palace are one of four clubs Textor owns with Eagle Football, alongside majority stakes