Sheffield Wednesday takeover stumbling block emerges - it involves Derby County | OneFootball

Derby County could prove a stumbling block for Sheffield Wednesday's hopes of a swift takeover process

At least two bidders seeking to take over Sheffield Wednesday are also eyeing a potential move to invest in Championship rivals Derby County, it has emerged.

According to Alan Nixon, the Owls aren’t alone in attracting interest from a number of possible investors, with the club seeking a new owner.

The South Yorkshire outfit have been placed in administration due to severe financial mismanagement under Dejphon Chansiri.

A number of names have been linked with a possible takeover at Hillsborough, but no immediate front-runner has yet emerged.

The likes of Mike Ashley and John Textor are reportedly interested in the purchase of the Championship side, but several others are believed to have registered their keenness on taking on the project.

Derby County stumbling block emerges in Sheffield Wednesday takeover process

Nixon has claimed that whilst there is plenty of interest in Sheffield Wednesday in their current state, at least two of the potential buyers are also looking further south than Hillsborough at Derby County too - and it has already been revealed that the aforementioned ex-Crystal Palace owner Textor is keen on the Rams.

It remains unclear whether these possible investors are seeking a full takeover in place of David Clowes, or if they will take a percentage stake, but the Rams are generating takeover interest.

Earlier in 2025, it was revealed that Clowes was seeking outside investment from another party when it came to running Derby, but he is yet to find a partner when it comes to that just yet.

Sheffield Wednesday could be available, in total, for about £50 million, which could be cheaper than their Championship rivals, but the club are also struggling on the pitch and will require investment in order to return to competitiveness.

Meanwhile, John Eustace’s side are the in-form side in the second division now, having won their last five league games in a row to move up to 10th in the table.

It has also been reported that a European group of investors are eyeing Sheffield Wednesday, with a view to making the team a spotlight for younger talent, with the example of Midtjylland mentioned as an example they could follow.

Claims earlier this week emerged that there are up to 10 serious bidders taking an interest in the Owls at this stage, with as many as 30 to 40 enquiries being made to administrators Begbies Traynor about a takeover.

Sheffield Wednesday supporters will surely want to avoid multi-club ownership model

Investors being interested in Derby and Sheffield Wednesday shows how lucrative the Championship is becoming, so this is encouraging for both clubs.

However, the prospect of being placed in the mutli-club model will be a warning sign for supporters of the Owls.

Becoming the second or third most important part of a wider operation will limit their capacity to be competitive in the long run, which would be a steep price to pay for their existence being saved.

This all comes back to their mismanagement under Chansiri, as the administrators do not have to seek the best deal possible for Sheffield Wednesday, which puts them at risk of something like this happening, whereas it’s unlikely Clowes would sell Derby under those circumstances.