Wolves receive shock takeover bid as Vitor Pereira sack verdict drops

Tom Weber

• Updated: 27 Oct 2025 16:29 GMT
• 5 min read

News

Premier League strugglers Wolves have received a $550 million (€473m) takeover bid from former Crystal Palace shareholder John Textor.

The American businessman is trying to purchase another English club after his Eagle Football Group sold its 40 per cent stake in Crystal Palace in an unsuccessful bid to help the club get into the Europa League this season.

Palace were ultimately demoted to the Conference League because it was argued that Textor had a decisive influence at the club as well as Olympique Lyon, who also qualified for the Europa League. The Ligue 1 side's league position ultimately trumped Palace's FA Cup win.

Textor still owns the French club, but was forced to step away from the day-to-day running due to financial problems. It was the price he had to pay for his successful attempt to stave off an enforced relegation to Ligue 2.

In addition to Lyon, Eagle also owns Brazilian giants Botafogo and Dutch side Molenbeek. Textor has been embroiled in legal battles at both clubs, but none of the above has dissuaded him from pursuing a new English side.

Textor makes Wolves bid

According to The Athletic, the American has made a sizeable bid to purchase a controlling stake in Wolves, consisting of $200m in cash and $350m in shares. Textor has also explored investing in Championship clubs.

However, it is unlikely that the 60-year-old's bid will be successful. Fosun, the Chinese conglomerate that has owned Wolves since 2016, is only seeking minority investment and has no interest in Eagle shares.

Textor's grand plan behind the investment in a new English club is to revitalise Eagle and put it on the New York Stock Exchange, likely without Lyon, 'to make a killing.'

Given Textor's ownership of Botafogo, Wolves are seen as an attractive opportunity due to the large Portuguese-speaking influence at the club. Fosun previously gave superagent Jorge Mendes a free hand to move his clients to Molineux.

It is noted that Textor's scheme of rebooting Eagle could fail spectacularly should he lose his legal battle with shareholder Iconic Sports Eagle Investment, which has accused him of reneging on an agreement worth in excess of $75m.

Wolves won't sack Pereira

Textor's bid for Wolves appears to be an unwelcome distraction for a club that is already struggling massively. Rooted to the bottom of the Premier League, the Molineux side look hopeless.

Wolves have yet to win a Premier League game this season and have only picked up two points to date. On Sunday, they were defeated 3-2 at home by promoted Burnley. After managing to claw their way back from a two-goal deficit, they were dealt a 95th-minute gut punch.

Although manager Vitor Pereira is a popular, down-to-earth character, the pressure on him is growing. The decision to give him a new contract despite a rotten start to the season looks even more bizarre in hindsight.

In doing so, Wolves effectively hamstrung themselves, and they are now forced to persist with something that clearly is no longer working. According to Sky Sports, the 57-year-old will be safe from the sack for the 'foreseeable future.'

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