What happens if Sheffield Wednesday takeover doesn't happen by May 1st deadline? | OneFootball

Football League World takes a look at what will likely happen if Sheffield Wednesday aren't purchased by the end of the week

Sheffield Wednesday prospective owner David Storch is intent on completing his Owls takeover by the end of the week, but time is ticking.

The South Yorkshire outfit remain in administration and suffered their 32nd Championship defeat of the season when they were beaten 4-1 by Oxford United on Saturday.

Wednesday would love to end an otherwise woeful campaign on a positive note by defeating West Bromwich Albion in their final game on Saturday, 2 May.

There will be a particularly cheerful atmosphere at Hillsborough Stadium this weekend if Storch completes his acquisition by the time West Brom visit South Yorkshire.

However, Football League World has taken a look at the potential ramifications if the Arise consortium don't finalise their takeover within the timeline they have set.

Sheffield Wednesday prospective owner David Storch could be set for Independent Football Regulator checks if Owls takeover is delayed amid other ramifications

Throughout the takeover process so far, Storch has conducted himself in a manner that has impressed Wednesday boss Henrik Pedersen, while he has also communicated effectively with supporters regarding his intentions.

However, the Owls faithful can only approach any developments with cautious optimism, as former preferred bidder James Bord's deal collapsed.

Meanwhile, Storch has been subject to the EFL's Owners' and Directors' Test, but he will instead have to undergo the Independent Football Regulator's suitability tests if his transaction isn't completed by May.

Should that eventuality occur, it would likely delay the American's takeover, but that wouldn't be the only ramification of missing the 1 May deadline.

Storch wants to complete his deal by the end of the week to ensure that Wednesday can prepare to be active in the summer transfer window following their relegation to League One.

However, if the Owls' prospective owner encounters an unwanted takeover delay, the South Yorkshire outfit may have to temporarily put the brakes on their transfer activity.

To ensure that they are competitive in the third tier next season, the S6 outfit must recruit well this summer, having lost several players across the last two windows, thanks to former owner Dejphon Chansiri's wrongdoings.

Meanwhile, Wednesday could be handed a 15-point deduction next season because Storch's bid fell below the amount required to pay creditors 25p in the pound.

Chansiri is the main creditor, so, unfortunately for the Owls, their rightfully disqualified owner holds the key to whether their side faces a heavy punishment at the start of the 2026/27 campaign.

Alan Nixon revealed via Patreon earlier this month that the former Wednesday chairman was open to talks with Arise over reaching an agreement that would wipe the 15-point penalty.

However, Nixon has subsequently reported that talks between Storch and Chansiri have stalled, which is not an update that Wednesday supporters wanted to hear.

Meanwhile, if the Arise consortium miss their 1 May deadline, it could delay their efforts to reach a deal with the Thai businessman that would extinguish the threat of a deduction.

Sheffield Wednesday need their takeover completed as soon as possible

Wednesday have already suffered an incredibly difficult campaign, which began with a summer transfer window that witnessed several high-profile departures, because Chansiri failed to pay staff and player wages on time.

The Owls have gone on to earn just one Championship victory in 45 attempts, while they have been deducted 18 points, meaning that they will end the season with zero points if they beat West Brom on Saturday.

Pedersen's men are a proud club who were a founding member of the Premier League, but they could even be staring at relegation if Storch doesn't complete his takeover.

Therefore, to ease supporters' nerves, Wednesday's takeover must be completed as soon as possible, while Storch and Co need plenty of time to complete a major rebuild.