Any Lyon supporter gets chills at the mention of the name of John Textor, the man who plunged the club into a disastrous financial situation, narrowly caught by Michele Kang and his trusted men. With losses exceeding €200 million during the 2024-2025 financial year, the Rhone club almost went out of business, the fault of the permanent financial mismanagement of the American businessman, who prided himself on inventing a new model of multi-ownership, with clubs like Botafogo (Brazil), Crystal Palace (England) and Molenbeek (Belgium).
However, it is with another club that he has done a lot of business in recent years. This is Nottingham Forest, and its truculent president Evangelos Marinakis, described by John Textor as “the partner we wanted to have with Crystal Palace”. A sort of confession, released during a broadcast Youtube of more than three hours on a Brazilian channel, Canal do TF, which is causing a stir in England since Crystal Palace lost its place in the Europa League this season to Forest, because of Textor!
Transfers at specially adjusted prices
“What I can say about our relationship with Marinakis is that, although we do not own Nottingham Forest and Marinakis does not own any part of Eagle Football, he has truly become the partner we wanted to have with Crystal Palace.”launched Textor, looking back on the numerous deals made between Nottingham Forest and Botafogo last summer. Igor Jesus, the striker of the Brazilian club sold for only €19 million, Jair Cunha, sold for €12 million, John Victor, goalkeeper transferred for €8 million and Cuiabana, left back sold for €6 million, all made the same trip.
“It happens that the amount of a transfer is adjusted to correct a discrepancy in value that has arisen within the framework of our relationship, and which could concern another player. We therefore strive to allocate fair amounts to each player, because there are often partners: the player, his agent or his other club. But trading values with a regular trading partner is very different from trading with a player with whom we carry out a one-off transaction.”admitted John Textor, which will not surprise Lyon supporters. The latter were upset when they noted the purchase price of Moussa Niakhaté in the summer of 2024, when the finances were not the best: €31 million.
