John Textor’s £400m Bid for Wolverhampton Wanderers

American investor John Textor has reportedly submitted a bid worth more than £400 million to acquire Wolverhampton Wanderers from Chinese conglomerate Fosun. The approach is said to have been made through Textor’s sports investment group, Eagle Football Holdings, which already owns stakes in several clubs worldwide.

Fosun, which has owned Wolves since 2016, has publicly stated that the Premier League club is not for sale, though it is understood to be exploring the possibility of bringing in minority investors to support its operations. The development comes amid broader financial challenges across English football, where ownership structures and club valuations continue to attract scrutiny from investors.

Eagle Football Holdings’ portfolio includes stakes in French Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyonnais, Brazilian club Botafogo, and Belgian team RWD Molenbeek. Textor, who sold his interest in Crystal Palace earlier in 2024, has made clear his ambition to create a network of clubs with shared sporting and commercial infrastructure.

For Wolves, any potential change in ownership would represent the most significant shift since Fosun’s takeover nearly a decade ago. Under Fosun, the club achieved promotion to the Premier League and qualified for European competition, but recent seasons have seen increased pressure to balance performance ambitions with financial sustainability.

While Wolves have denied that formal negotiations are underway, the reported bid highlights the continued interest in Premier League assets among global investors. Club ownership remains attractive due to the league’s broadcast revenues, international reach, and brand value, even as regulatory oversight and cost controls tighten.

The situation remains fluid, but the reported offer from Textor’s Eagle Football adds another chapter to the growing competition among multi-club ownership groups seeking a stronger presence in English football.