Big Derby County, John Textor takeover update has got fans talking online | OneFootball

The American has reportedly got his sights firmly set on the Rams

Developments across the weekend which state that American businessman, John Textor, is preparing an "official" move to takeover Derby County has, unsurprisingly, created mass discourse across several social media platforms.

On the pitch, the Rams saw a run of five Championship wins in a row grounded to a halt in remarkable fashion against Javi Gracia's Watford outfit at Pride Park on Saturday afternoon. The Hornets staged a second-half fightback, largely through Edo Kayembe's late double, as the game was turned on its head completely after the East Midlands side looked set for another three-point haul courtesy of goals from defensive duo Dion Sanderson and Sondre Langas.

However, not for the first time in recent weeks, Textor saw his name alongside breaking takeover developments. According to Alan Nixon via Patreon, the former Crystal Palace stakeholder is looking for his latest route back into English football ownership after relinquishing shares in last season's FA Cup winners following a controversial set of summer events.

The 60-year-old, like several other high-profile names, has been heavily linked with a potential takeover at Derby's divisional rivals, Sheffield Wednesday, for many weeks and months, with the Owls looking to finalise negotiations as swiftly as possible under the guidance of administrators, Begbies Traynor, following Dejphon Chansiri's celebrated departure from Hillsborough last month.

However, whilst Rams owner, David Clowes, has referenced the need for potential external investment to progress the club forward, Textor's head has been turned, and he now firmly has his sights set on the Midlands club, which has generated plenty of interesting supporters from those in DE24 and beyond.

Nixon's aforementioned report claimed that Textor is readying a takeover move for the Rams, who have been in Clowes' hands since July 2022, with the lifelong supporter saving the club from potential oblivion after entering administration and being docked 21 points in their relegation campaign of 2021/22.

In the three years which have followed his £33m takeover, Derby are now reportedly valued at £60m. Whilst other parties are also interested, Textor was believed to have flown into England and could have even watched John Eustace's side's first defeat since October 18th over the weekend.

Unsurprisingly, with such developments being relayed by several media outlets, those on the terraces in this part of the East Midlands have had plenty to say on the matter, as well as those who follow bitter rivals, Nottingham Forest, with the Reds intrinsically linked to Textor's exit from Selhurst Park as they took Palace's place in the UEFA Europa League due to a breach of UEFA's multi-club ownership regulations.

One supporter claimed Textor was seen in a fanzone tent ahead of the Watford game, albeit he wasn't recognised by many as a well-known figure.

Another, rather humourously, claimed that the Rams' on-pitch collapse would see the American divert such plans.

Some Rams supporters believe that Textor isn't the answer to help progress them forward, though.

Another feels it would be a nightmare scenario.

One Sheffield Wednesday fan believes that Textor is preparing to take over their divisional rivals as other bidders may well have fronted the queue at Hillsborough despite being a cheaper option.

With Nixon revealing the potential fee Textor may need to part with to secure control of Derby, one Forest fan believes their local rivals are now worth less than England international, Morgan Gibbs-White.

John Textor, Derby County developments have unsurprisingly caused friction

Given Textor's recent history, particularly with Crystal Palace and Lyon, it isn't the greatest of surprises that such news has been a real opinion-splitter amongst supporters.

The American would hope that some would look past those developments and look at the success he has enjoyed at Botafogo, with the Brazilian side taking part in the FIFA Club World Cup in the summer, as well as being nominated at the Ballon d'Or for '2025 Men's Club of the Year'.

However, with Derby supporters still somewhat scarred by the unsustainable fashion in which they mounted two failed promotion bids under Mel Morris in the 2010s, they will hope that if external investment is forthcoming, it is ploughed in and utilised in the right way in order to avoid a disastrous repeat.