Major Derby County, Turki Alalshikh takeover twist revealed | OneFootball

The Rams have been heavily linked with a takeover from the boxing tycoon

Derby County have spent the past 18 years outside the Premier League, and in recent times, have come back from the brink of extinction to become one of the Championship's most ambitious clubs once again.

The Rams are currently preparing for a third successive season in the second tier after their promotion from League One under Paul Warne in April 2024, with John Eustace currently at the helm and earning plenty of praise for his managerial style at Pride Park since joining from Blackburn Rovers in February 2025.

The 46-year-old helped the East Midlands outfit stave off relegation back to the third tier in his first months in DE24, where he previously spent time as a player, before the club finished eighth last term, missing out on a play-off place by two places and four points.

However, that hasn't stopped those in charge of on-pitch matters, as well as those in the boardroom, continuing to showcase high levels of ambition in the summer transfer window, and that has only been added to with heavy takeover links concerning Saudi Arabian boxing tycoon, Turki Alalshikh, who has a reported net worth of over £2bn.

Derby County nearing major takeover agreement with Turki Alalshikh

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Indeed, shortly after last season drew to a close, it was reported that the current hierarchy, led by David Clowes, who rescued the club from administration and potential liquidation four years ago, had discussed takeover plans with Derby's Supporters Board.

It was then claimed by the Telegraph that the aforementioned Alalshikh had held talks with higher-ups at Pride Park over the potential for a deal to be struck between the relevant parties.

It has also been known for some time that Clowes has been willing to sell his majority stake in the club, and now the same publication have revealed that Derby are close to finalising such an agreement with the 44-year-old, although the cost of the deal is not yet known.

The EFL have reportedly given Alalshikh the green-light to continue the process, which will later receive final judgement from the Independent Football Regulator.

The IFR was introduced in July 2025 after the Football Governance Act was passed, although there are not said to be any major concerns surrounding the boxing promoter, who has previously owned UD Almeria and Pyramids FC in Spain and Egypt respectively.

How Derby County fans are feeling about Turki Alalshikh takeover news

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Unsurprisingly, the majority of Rams supporters are feeling rather overjoyed by such news on social media, with one stating: Was wondering if this had gone dead or not earlier today, well there is my answer. Exciting times to be a Derby fan right now."

Clearly getting swept up in a wave of optimism after their summer transfer activity and what could come next, another fan issued the stance of: "PREMIER LEAGUE RAMS!"

However, one supporter responded to the news with the wish of: "If this does go through let’s hope Clowes retains most of the control," given how savvy the current Rams owner has been since acquiring the club from Mel Morris.

Another Rams fan took a measured outlook on proceedings too, stating: We will still be limited to what we can spend. Don’t get excited about that. If this goes through I’m more excited about maybe spending money on the infrastructure of the club, such as the training ground, stadium etc.

Meanwhile, supporters of bitter rivals, Nottingham Forest, have been quick to get involved, with one fan at the City Ground replying: "I’m here for this Fawaz (Al-Hasawi)-level entertainment. How long til Eustace is sacked for Gerrard?

Derby County could leave Championship rivals feeling regretful amid Turki Alalshikh update

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If the takeover is soon finalised by the IFR, then plenty of eyes will be cast on developments at Pride Park, especially for the remainder of the transfer window, with Eustace already signing Bobby Clark on a permanent £6m deal from RB Salzburg.

Even more so, Derby could have plenty of their divisional rivals looking on with envy too, with all of Bristol City, Millwall and Southampton previously linked with a takeover from Alalshikh.

Indeed, it was confirmed that the Robins, in particular, had held talks with the tycoon over potential investment at Ashton Gate which never came, whilst current owner, Steve Lansdown, had become the subject of criticism earlier in 2026 after the club fell away from the play-off race.