Derby County takeover situation explained: What we know so far | OneFootball

Football League World takes a look at what is currently happening with Derby County's takeover, and everything that has happened so far.

Four years ago this month, Derby County supporters braced themselves for what looked as though was going to be the club's last ever game.

Birmingham City were the visitors to Pride Park Stadium on Sunday 30 January 2022, as over 10,000 Rams fans marched from the city centre to the ground in solidarity as the East Midlands outfit's survival chances looked all but over.

On the pitch, a last-minute Krystian Bielik overhead kick salvaged a point for Derby, and just five months later, David Clowes would rescue the club from liquidation in its final hour and the rebuild was able to commence.

Now, in January 2026, the Rams sit comfortably in mid-table in the Championship, with head coach John Eustace looking to help take the club back to the Premier League in the coming years. However, Clowes has made no secret of his desire to find new investment, and Football League World has taken a look at everything currently known about a potential takeover in DE24.

David Clowes is still searching for fresh investment

Back in September 2024, The Telegraph reported that Derby's owner was looking for fresh investment, just two years after purchasing it.

However, 16 months later, the situation has seemingly been on pause and supporters are still awaiting fresh news about a new face in the boardroom at Pride Park.

Nonetheless, Clowes has remained committed to the Championship side, proven by his spending in the summer transfer window as Patrick Agyemang was brought to the club from Charlotte FC in the MLS for £5.8m.

Derby's owner is still extremely ambitious and a return to the Premier League is a huge desire for the former season ticket holder, and in the November and December 2025 Supporters' Board meeting, he explained that his position has not changed in terms of his support for the club.

'Integrity, Progress and Stability' have been the core values of his ownership, and with no deal confirmed between any parties, no update has been given.

What David Clowes said when he arrived at Derby County in July 2022

There is no denying the stability that Clowes has brought to Derby in the last three-and-a-half years. He arrived at the club with an extremely limited number of players in the squad, and within two seasons, he helped take the Rams back to the Championship.

The local businessman stressed the importance of 'continuity' at Pride Park and ensuring support for those on the pitch and in the changing room.

Most importantly, Clowes stressed the importance of bringing trust back to the boardroom at Derby after Mel Morris left the club in administration in September 2021.

He said: "Words, I know, are cheap and so, going forward, we intend to be judged by our actions. Alongside my team, I will be doing everything in my power to make Derby County safe, secure, and successful for many generations to come."