Leaked message shows Palace owner calling Liverpool-linked star compared to Messi an 'imbecile'
Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor appears to be in trouble after calling one of his Lyon players an “imbecile.”
The American businessman, who has a 45 percent stake in Palacewas caught slamming the door Linked to Liverpool Rayan Cherki and his entourage.
Textor, who failed with an offer buy Premier League club EvertonHe is also the main shareholder of Lyon, which has liquidity problems.
Highly rated Cherki is among the team's most valuable players, with Liverpool It is said to be monitoring a price reduction move.
The 21-year-old was the subject of huge transfer interest in the summer as he entered the final year of his contract, however Lyon remained firm on the attacker's price.
In November, Textor warned his suitors that Cherki would not be available for cheap, saying: “We lost €15m (£12.5m) on his potential sale (to Paris Saint-Germain) last summer, but Now its value is much greater.
“He should stay in January, but it depends on Rayan, as always happens in football.”
Now, French exit foot market have published a WhatsApp exchange purportedly from Textor made at the start of the summer window.
The 59-year-old lashed out at Cherki and his entourage during alleged negotiations with Borussia Dortmund – who were an interest in signing the player is attributed according to reports published in Germany last July.
Alleged messages from Textor to the anonymous president of a rival European club read: “It's the 4th of July and I'm still listening to this little git who you'd like to sign. Still interested?
“Dortmund have spoken to us for the first time and I'm happy to tell them to go to hell… I just need to know that you still love the player. Thank you.”
In a follow-up response, Textor responded: “Fantastic… I think the kid is a good kid. I think your team of people are total morons. Tonight I'll send him a message that Dortmund can go to hell. Thank you!”
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Cherki has also been linked with a summer transfer to domestic rivals Lyon. PSG before a move to Dortmund fell through.
Towards the end of the window, Fulham agree £17m deal with Lyon for French under-21 international only for him to reject the move.
He eventually stayed in Lyon and rejoined the first team, extending his contract until 2026 in September.
Since then, Cherki has scored three goals and provided another three assists in 13 Ligue 1 games this season.
The club's homegrown talent has also registered six goals in as many Europa League games under Pierre Sage.
He was also part of the France team that won an Olympic silver medal at the 2024 Paris Games.
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His progression has compared him to some of football's greats, and a former OL president has paid him the highest compliment.
“Cherki is comparable to (Lionel) Messi in terms of technical quality,” said Jean-Michel Aulas Téléfoot.
However, the playmaker himself recently revealed that he has been following the example of the Argentine's enemy.
Cherki said: “I had many idols but the one I think is the best and the example to follow is christian ronaldo.
“In terms of their work and their longevity, that is the example to follow.”
Textor, meanwhile, has a 45 per cent stake in Palace through Eagle Football Group, but has been trying to sell his shares since february.
He has extensive experience in the world of football: Ligue 1 giants Lyon, Brazilian league leaders Botafogo and Belgium's RWD Molenbeek are also under his watch.
Textor is believed to have held talks about a bid for Championship Watfordas reported by talkSPORT at the end of last year.
