Premier League clubs yesterday voted to allow teams to sign players on loan from clubs within the same ownership groups, in a move which may benefit Crystal Palace.
It came after controversial links between Newcastle’s Saudi Arabian ownership group PIF and Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves, whom they are reportedly interested in signing in January.
Clubs voted, and could not agree a majority to ban such loans, meaning that clubs as part of multi-ownership models will be able to loan each other players.
Given that Crystal Palace are part-owned by John Textor, who owns Botafogo in Brazil and Lyon in France amongst others, the Eagles are a side that could benefit from this rule. However, there is more to it than meets the eye.
Crystal Palace voted in favour of loan ban
It has now emerged that seven clubs voted against the ban, with Manchester City, Chelsea, Sheffield United, Newcastle, Wolves, Everton and Nottingham Forest in favour of allowing loans between clubs under the same owners.
Despite the potential for Crystal Palace to benefit from this, and take players on loan from Lyon using the link of Textor, the club voted in favour of the ban, highlighting that perhaps the relationship between Palace and Textor is not as strong as originally thought.
Textor is a minority stakeholder, and has recently been seen at Botafogo more than he has at Palace.
Lyon are in a crisis at the bottom of Ligue 1, whilst Botafogo have seen their title challenge at the top of Serie A slip away, whilst Palace are comfortably in mid-table at the moment.
Could Crystal Palace loan players from John Textor’s other clubs?
The fact that Palace voted in favour of banning such loans, makes it clear that there were no plans to sign anyone from Lyon or Botafogo in January.
In the summer, Lyon signed Jake O’Brien from Crystal Palace, who is beginning to shine in France. However, Palace seemingly did not have any interest in players from either club.
If Palace were to attempt to sign a player from either club, it remains to be seen what kind of part Textor’s connection can play in securing signings or lowering transfer fees, but the option now remains for Palace to loan players from his other clubs in January if they wish to do so.
