How Niall Horan really feels about Turki Alalshikh investing in Derby County | OneFootball

The former One Direction star also revealed his thoughts on the Rams' head coach, John Eustace

Singer and former One Direction star Niall Horan has had his say on the Turki Alalshikh investment news at Derby County.

The Irish pop star is arguably the Rams' most famous supporter, and he'd travel with his father from Ireland most weeks to watch matches at Pride Park as a youngster.

As for the investment news, if you didn’t already know by now, Saudi billionaire Alalshikh is reportedly in talks with the Rams over a potential deal.

As per John Percy, the Independent Football Regulator is now carrying out the necessary checks on Alalshikh, with negotiations described as 'advanced'.

How Niall Horan feels about Turki Alalshikh investing in Derby County

Horan appeared on talkSPORT, where he was quizzed by hosts Andy Goldstein and Darren Bent - a former Derby striker - about the aforementioned Alalshikh report.

"I mean, we're just, as Derby County fans, we're just we're happy to have a club first of all," Horan told Goldstein and Bent.

"I think after what happened a few years ago with the administration and David Clowes - local developer - coming in to save us at the last minute, we're just happy to have a club."

The East Midlands outfit entered administration in September 2021 and spent the best part of a year staring into the abyss before Clowes spent a reported £55m to complete his takeover in July 2022.

It was with that in mind that Horan didn’t get too carried away. “So, I think just any proper investment we'd be happy with," he continued.

"I mean, like Benty [Darren], you've been there. It's the training ground, the stadium. Like, it's we're talking about a big time club here with a lot of history and one of the founder members of the league."

"We've been through enough to know that I'll wait until I see it, I won't believe it, you know. So, we'll just see what happens, but any real interest with real money that is willing to understand the history of our club, we'll welcome it."

Derby were, of course, among the original twelve clubs that formed the Football League back in 1888, sitting alongside the likes of Aston Villa and Everton as the competition's founding members.

The conversation on talkSPORT also turned to the past 25/26 campaign, and Horan was full of praise for what John Eustace had managed to build.

Niall Horan thinks Derby County have 'a chance' at promotion under John Eustace next season

The Rams finished eighth this past season, coming agonisingly close to making the play-offs on the final day, only to lose 2-1 at home to Sheffield United with results elsewhere going against them.

Horan claimed, "Yeah, I mean, like to be fair, I think we did the job with the squad we have is the truth really.

"I think we were in the playoffs for an hour on the last day of the season [laughter] and then holding a job, and whatever happened with us and Sheffield United was kind of neither here nor there."

"But uh, like I said, it was a good season and I think next season, it's about next season.

"I think what John's done there with the money he's been given and the players he's been able to bring in, um, I think if we just give it one more push in a window, I think we've got a chance."

It’s clear that the singer knows his stuff, and, in truth, has always been vocal about his support of Derby. "I get very emotional about being here," Horan told BBC Radio Derby last summer at Pride Park.

"I love this place. I love this ground. I love the vibe it gives off. I just love Derby County."

Whether Alalshikh is the right man to invest in the East Midlands outfit remains to be seen, but Horan appears open to the idea - if the Saudi is genuinely committed.