Is a Derby County takeover going to happen? | OneFootball

FLW takes a look at whether a takeover at Derby County is likely right now, or if David Clowes' reign will continue.

In September 2024 talk of a takeover at Derby County was accelerated as it was reported that David Clowes was looking to potentially sell 80% of the club to a new investor to help take the East Midlands outfit back to the Premier League and beyond.

That was according to The Telegraph, who revealed that the local businessman was keen to stay on as chairman and oversee proceedings at Pride Park, even if he was no longer the majority shareholder as his side continued their fight in the Championship.

It's been nearly four years since Clowes completed his takeover of the Rams, rescuing the club from administration after they were relegated to League One and rebuilding. With the help of head coach Paul Warne, the team returned to the second tier, where they currently have play-off ambitions under John Eustace, who has been in charge for the last 12 months.

Now, Football League World has taken a look at just how likely a fresh takeover at Derby is as the Championship prepares for the run-in in the final months of the 2025/26 season.

David Clowes has kept his cards close to his chest in regard to a new Derby County takeover

The battle at the top end of the second tier this campaign is incredibly tight, and the likes of Hull City, Preston North End and the Rams are all involved, despite fighting for survival at the end of last season. The nature of the division itself can flip incredibly quickly, and therefore it is not a surprise to see Clowes looking for more investment.

During the November and December 2025 Supporters' Board meeting, the 56-year-old made it clear that the goal for the club is to reach the Premier League in the near future, and he is doing everything he can to help them achieve their goal with their transfer spending increasing greatly in the summer.

While his own financial aid to the team has increased, Clowes made it clear that those at the top are stringently following a rule of three in the boardroom, with 'Integrity, Progress and Stability' the key to success and exactly what he is searching for in a new investor.

However, despite his past desire to stay on as chairman, it was stated in the meeting notes that he will not hold up a takeover that benefits Derby that would see him lose that position, and he is more than happy to lose his title of majority shareholder.

Derby County may have to wait for a takeover right now

There have been two names linked with a potential purchase of the East Midlands club recently. James Bord is just one of those who has taken a look at the Rams, with Alan Nixon reporting in November that he was potentially looking into a takeover.

However, he is now the preferred bidder for Sheffield Wednesday, a club in administration, and therefore it seems incredibly unlikely that he will reignite his interest in Derby and his focus remains solely with the Owls and their preparations for next season's League One campaign.

Meanwhile, John Textor has also reportedly been keeping a keen eye on Clowes' team in recent times. A few days prior to Bord's interest, Nixon stated that Textor was lining up a £60m offer for the Rams and was planning on watching Eustace's side face Watford at Pride Park.

Nonetheless, a move has not materialised, and with the American businessman incredibly busy with Brazilian side Botafogo, supporters in DE24 may not be overly sold by the 60-year-old, and at this moment in time, it seems most likely that Clowes' time in charge will continue.