How Dejphon Chansiri is reacting to Sheffield Wednesday takeover advances | OneFootball

The former Owls owner still holds some keys to the club's future

Dejphon Chansiri’s silence is becoming as deafening as any statement he could make, with Sheffield Wednesday's takeover saga continue to toil on owing to the now-departed Thai businessman/

At a point when Sheffield Wednesday are close to a long-awaited takeover, the former owner’s lack of engagement is affecting both negotiations and the club’s short-term outlook.

Already relegated, the Owls' attention has turned to the 2026/27 season in League One.

But key questions remain unresolved, from ownership to finances, with the prospect of a points deduction hanging over what should be the start of a rebuild.

Sheffield Wednesday takeover latest: Chansiri stance complicates EFL points deduction

The situation is relatively simple, even if the consequences are not. A consortium led by David Storch, under the Arise Capital Partners banner, is the preferred bidder to take over Wednesday and wants to complete a deal by 1st May.

The problem lies in the numbers. The bid, worth around £20 million, would return roughly 6p in the pound to unsecured creditors.

Under EFL rules, that figure needs to reach 25p to avoid a 15-point deduction when the club exits administration.

A large share of that debt is owed to Dejphon Chansiri. If he agreed to reduce what he is owed, the club could meet the requirement. As things stand, that has not happened.

Storch says, in a statement to fans, that attempts to open discussions with Chansiri through administrators Begbies Traynor have gone unanswered.

That leaves the club facing a points penalty that could shape their entire League One season before a ball is kicked.

There has been little movement elsewhere, either. The EFL has rejected a request for the case to go to independent arbitration, and there is no indication the rules will be bent to reflect the circumstances.

Dejphon Chansiri silence leaves Sheffield Wednesday rebuild hanging in balance

The lack of progress with Chansiri sits at the heart of a wider set of problems.

Storch’s update makes clear the issues are not just financial. Work behind the scenes has flagged serious concerns at Hillsborough, from basic water supply to the stadium’s electrical capacity. All of it will need addressing, quickly and at significant cost.

That puts the prospective Owls owners in a difficult position. They are preparing to take on a club that needs major investment, while also asking for some flexibility over the points deduction that would immediately set them back.

It leaves three sides pulling in different directions: the EFL sticking to its regulations, the consortium trying to limit the damage before taking over and a former owner who has yet to engage in a process that could ease the situation.

For Wednesday supporters, the pattern is familiar. The past year has been dominated by uncertainty, false starts and decline on the pitch.

Relegation and repeated points deductions have already defined one season. There looms a threat that they define another.

What has changed is how close the club appears to a sale. There is a deal on the table and a group willing to go through with it, but key details remain unresolved.

Chansiri’s position is now central to what happens next. If nothing changes, Wednesday will almost certainly begin next season on -15. If there is movement - conducted correctly - the outlook shifts immediately.