US businessman John Textor’s swoop for Everton is set to enter a crucial stage as he aims to fast-track the sale of his Crystal Palace stake.
Textor currently owns 45 percent of the Selhurst Park club but has appointed merchant bank the Raine Group to oversee the process of selling his stake in Palace as he ramps up his move to purchase the Toffees.
And sources close to the process have told Mail Sport that Textor has informed all parties of his wish to accelerate the sale of his Palace shareholding.
It is understood Textor had in mind a soft deadline of late September for written indications of interest in his Eagles shareholding.
But his interest in buying out current Everton owner Farhad Moshiri has resulted in an acceleration of the entire selling process, not just the bidding period.
Around 14 parties have registered an initial interest with Raine. A smaller number started ‘aggressive’ work on the potential deal.
There is now hope that the process is approaching its climax with interested parties expecting news of a preferred bidder soon.
A small number of ‘serious bidders’ are understood to have made clear their willingness to complete a quick purchase and have insisted they have the financial power to do so, which would suit Textor in his pursuit of the Goodison Park side.
Last week, Everton released a statement confirming 'positive conversations' with the businessman had taken place
But, at the same time, those close to the process are adamant that a sale to one of the parties who have so far shown a tentative interest shouldn’t be discounted.
It emerged over the weekend that investment management firm Aliya Capital Partners are backing Textor's purchase Moshiri’s 94.1 percent stake in Everton, who released a statement last week confirming ‘positive conversations’ with the businessman had taken place but ‘there was still some work to be done’ to complete the transaction.