Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor is lining up a takeover bid for Championship club Watford, talkSPORT understands.
American businessman Textor has a 45 per cent stake in Palace through Eagle Football Group.
He has been trying to sell his shares since February due to a stand-off with fellow owners – Steve Parish, Josh Harris and David Blitzer.
Textor recently failed with a bid to buy fellow Premier League club Everton, who are set to be taken over by The Friedkin Group following a lengthy, drawn-out sale by Farhad Moshiri.
Now, Textor has turned his attention to the second tier of English football, as first reported by The Sun.
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Watford chief Gino Pozzo put ten per cent of his shares up for sale last summer.
It is understood the Italian would be open to offers on a full sale, and wants in the region of £150m to £175m.
Textor is believed to have held talks over a bid for Watford, while speaking to other investors about setting up a possible consortium.
The 59-year-old is vastly experienced in the world of football ownership – with Ligue 1 giants Lyon, Brazilian league leaders Botafogo and Belgium’s RWD Molenbeek also under his remit.
It is thought Watford appeal to him as they are also part of a multi-club project, alongside Serie A side Udinese.
However, Textor must first find a way to shift his 45 per cent stake in Palace.
Boyhood Palace fans Zechariah Janjua and Navshir Jaffer are thought to have made an offer through investment group Sportsbank.
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Textor’s fellow Americans Harris and Blitzer could buy him out – with the price set at £230m.
The Eagles are currently 17th in the Premier League table following a difficult start to the 2024/25 campaign.
Oliver Glasner’s side have won just one of their opening ten matches.
Watford, meanwhile, have made a bright start to the campaign under Tom Cleverley.
The former midfielder has the Hornets fifth in the Championship table and seven points off league leaders Sunderland.
