How much it could cost to buy Derby County in 2026 as predicted by AI | OneFootball

AI has predicted how much money a new owner would have to part with to acquire the Rams

Despite being an upwardly mobile club once again under the ownership of David Clowes, talk has continued to rumble on across the 2025/26 season regarding fresh investment at Derby County.

It has been an extremely recent mixed period in the Rams' history, as their loyal supporters continue to dream of an eventual return to the Premier League for the first time since the 2007/08 season.

Of course, it has also been well-documented that the East Midlands side have held the unwanted record of the lowest points total in top flight history for the 18 years which have followed (11), although Southampton did come mightily close to breaking that particular feat last term, whilst Wolverhampton Wanderers remain on single digits this term despite a recent unbeaten run under Rob Edwards.

Derby have come close to a return to the Premier League on a handful of occasions since then, though, but they all proved to be in vain.

The Rams became part of one of the most dramatic incidents in the history of the Championship play-off final in 2014 when Bobby Zamora's last-gasp strike saw Queens Park Rangers promoted at Wembley Stadium in their expense, before the club fell short twice more against Hull City and Aston Villa in the post-season lotteries of 2015/16 and 2018/19 respectively.

Shortly afterwards, it was apparent that the club had lost north of £200m under then-chairman, Mel Morris, leading to an extremely uncertain period in administration, which ultimately culminated in relegation to League One at the end of the 2021/22 campaign under Wayne Rooney, largely down to a 21-point deduction.

However, in the summer which led up to Derby's first campaign at third tier level in four decades, Clowes was able to rescue his boyhood club from the brink in a deal that was effectively worth £33m.

As a result, he has emerged as the latest in a long line of cult heroes as the Rams entered a new era, which currently sees them as one of several clubs fighting it out for a Championship play-off place under the management of former midfielder, John Eustace.

Whilst the 46-year-old's main aim is to achieve a first top six berth at this level for seven years at Pride Park, it is fair to say that he will also be aware of any potential rumblings of a takeover in the background, with it being reported in recent months that Clowes is on the lookout for fresh investment.

With that in mind, Football League World asked ChatGPT how much money it could take for a new investor to part with to secure majority control.

AI issues fresh Derby County valuation claim amid potential 2026 takeover

It was revealed in September 2024 by the Telegraph that Clowes was open to selling up to 80 percent of his shares in the Rams if a sufficient offer came his way, which sparked initial intrigue regarding the outlook of the Pride Park boardroom.

Sources then informed BBC Radio Derby that "several interested parties" had expressed an interest in taking control of the club, with the identity of some coming over a year later.

Indeed, in the autumn of 2025, both John Textor and Mike Ashley became heavily linked with a move for the East Midlands side as well as their divisional rivals, Sheffield Wednesday, who currently remain in administration.

Ironically, James Bord, who is set to undergo the EFL's Owners and Directors' Test ahead of a takeover at Hillsborough, was also namedropped as the next potential custodian of the Rams, with Alan Nixon reporting that the club were worth approximately £60m.

However, AI believes that any potential bidders at the turn of 2026 may have to pay a figure between the regions of £75m and £85m to see Clowes give up his majority stake.

ChatGPT claims that the reasoning behind such a valuation is if liabilities are a factor in the deal, and if a bidding war does not ensue between multiple parties.

However, it claims that the valuation may increase as the year progresses, particularly if the Rams are on track towards a potential promotion, which would see their revenue streams take a dramatic upsurge due to the finances on offer in the Premier League due to broadcasting rights.

AI's Derby County valuation prediction seems somewhat realistic amid takeover talk

It must be said that takeover talk has slightly cooled in the East Midlands in recent weeks, which could be both assuring and slightly concerning for Rams supporters at the same time.

However, taking a multitude of factors into account, it does seem as though AI would not be entirely wide of the mark with this prediction, although an increase in price from Nixon's aforementioned £60m claim would normally be down to a bidding war above all else.

At present, though, it is clear that Clowes is still doing an extremely satisfactory job as owner, although further investment could quicken the club's aims of becoming a dominant force in the Championship once more.