What David Clowes has said about selling Derby County as takeover news emerges | OneFootball

The Derby County owner has previously spoken on his stance over selling the club

David Clowes has previously been open to investment in Derby County.

The businessman took over at Pride Park in the summer of 2022 after the club entered administration and subsequently suffered relegation from the Championship.

Having helped save the club, Clowes provided a steady financial backing which allowed the Rams to become competitive once again, eventually securing promotion back up to the second-tier in 2024.

Derby managed to retain their Championship status last term under John Eustace and in the summer, looked to build on that success with signings such as Lewis Travis, Rhian Brewster and Patrick Agyemang.

After 15 matches, the Rams sit 10th in the table and only two points shy of the play-offs, thanks to a five-game winning run they are currently enjoying.

Recent reports have stated that former Crystal Palace shareholder John Textor is interested in buying a club in the English game, after selling his stake in the Eagles and Derby have been mentioned as a potential side the US businessman is looking at.

With this in mind, Football League World has taken a look at what Clowes has previously said about relinquishing control of Derby County.

David Clowes would be open to Derby County investment

It’s no secret that Clowes has been on the lookout for external investment into Derby for a while now, as it was reported in September that he was looking to sell 80 percent of the club.

Having taken over the Rams when they were in an extremely vulnerable position, Clowes hasn’t been shy to admit that for the club to realise its ultimate ambitions, finance will have to come from other places.

On the eve of the 2025/26 season, Derby’s owner released a telling statement via the club website, which provided crucial insight into what his position over a future takeover would be.

“In everything we do, we always have in mind the values that make this club so special for thousands and thousands of people,” wrote Clowes.

“I’ve been there in the stands with you, on the trains, and up and down the motorways every week.

“I desperately never want to let you down.

“Nobody knows exactly what the future holds, but one thing is for sure, none of us will be here forever.

“But when it’s time to hand over the reins to the next steward of the club, I want above everything else to be able to say we left Derby County in a better place than where we found it.”

Sheffield Wednesday could stand in the way of Derby County investment

Given that Textor is looking to buy into an English team and Clowes is actively pursuing investment, it seems like a match made in heaven for the US businessman to take over a large majority of Derby.

However, the main hurdle in the way of that happening could be Sheffield Wednesday.

It has been reported by journalist Alan Nixon via his Patreon channel that Textor is also keen on taking over the Owls and if it came down to a choice between the two, he would opt for the Steel City side.

Therefore, although it makes clear sense for Textor to invest in Derby County, given that Clowes is willing to make that happen, Derby may have to wait a little while longer before they finally secure more external funding for the club.