NEWS: Everton fans want prospective owners to be passionate about The Toffees

Crystal Palace’s largest shareholder, American businessman John Textor, has said he is interested in acquiring Everton but would first need to divest his stake in the London club.

A successful bid from Textor’s Eagle Football Holdings would see Everton become part of a wider stable of clubs which already includes Lyon, Botafogo of Brazil, RWD Molenbeek in Belgium and FC Florida in the United States.

Everton’s Fans’ Advisory Board (FAB) said one of the considerations it wanted prospective buyers to address was whether their bid would make the Toffees part of a multi-club structure and if so “how will they ensure that all football fans are respected in such a model”.

Dave Kelly, the chair of the FAB said: “There should be no doubt that any serious bidder must be excited and honoured at the prospect of owning our great football club.

“We’ve had a challenging few years both on and off the pitch, but the privilege of being a custodian of Everton Football Club comes with a responsibility to understand, listen to and work with a fan base that recognizes our heritage and history, but just as importantly – our future potential.”

Other parties reported to be interested in bidding for the club are Andy Bell and George Downing, along with Roma owner Dan Friedkin and a consortium led by London-based businessman Vatche Manoukian.

The FAB’s questions cover a range of areas including financial, fan, operational and community considerations.

Kelly added: “The questions and issues we’ve published today are based on the feedback we’ve had from Evertonians in a series of engagement sessions and surveys, and which we ask any bidder to reflect upon as they consider playing a part in the ownership of our club.

“As the process moves on, we’d encourage all bidders to join us in engaging with supporters and in sharing their vision for the future of Everton Football Club.”