"This operation would lead to a complete sale of the stakes of Pathé and IDG", which respectively represent 19.36% and 19.85% of the capital of OL Groupe, "and to a progressive liquidity of Holnest, the family holding of Jean-Michel Aulas", historical president of the club, since 1987, which holds 27.72% of the capital, specifies the press release of the group, which had requested Monday the suspension of its listing on the stock exchange.
The Chinese investment fund IDG Capital and Pathé, a group led by the Seydoux family, announced that they wanted to sell their stakes last March.
Aged 56, Textor is already a reference shareholder with his group of several football clubs, in particular Botafogo (1st Brazilian division, 90%) and Racing White Daring Molenbeek (Belgian D2, 80%), where he has maintained the president already in place, and present for 40% in the capital of Crystal Palace (1st div. English).
John Textor, whose fortune is estimated at 3 billion dollars and who specializes in particular in the broadcasting of online sports, special effects and images of celebrities in virtual reality, should also immediately invest 86 M EUR to strengthen the financial structure of OL Group.
The transaction should make it possible to continue the strategy put in place by the Lyon club, to strengthen the sports teams and the infrastructures, further specifies the press release from OLG.
Jean-Michel Aulas and the club's current management team would remain in place, it is said.
In addition, this sale should result in the launch of a "friendly takeover bid (OPA), at a price of 3 euros per share and 265.57 euros per Osrane (reimbursable bonds), which would possibly be followed, if the conditions are met, of a compulsory withdrawal corresponding to an enterprise value of OL Groupe estimated at 798 M EUR on July 1, 2022 and 884 M EUR after the capital increase", further details the press release. OL Group.
The objective of Textor and Aulas (73), who would therefore retain his position as CEO for the next few seasons, is to bring Olympique Lyonnais back to the top after a disappointing season that ended in 8th place in Ligue 1. and a non-European qualification.
© 2022 AFP