Ex-Everton CEO drops Sheffield Wednesday takeover claim - 'I know the identities of at least five' | OneFootball

Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness has given an insight into the takeover process at Sheffield Wednesday, claiming he is aware of at least five bidders.

Former Everton, Aston Villa and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness has revealed that he is aware of at least five parties who have made bids for Sheffield Wednesday.

Wednesday have been on the market since former owner Dejphon Chansiri put the club and the company through which he owned the stadium into administration in late October, bringing his decade-long tenure at Hillsborough to an end.

Despite the fact the Owls are almost certain to be relegated to League One this season after having a total of 18 points deducted, there has been no shortage of interest in the club, with joint-administrators Kris Wigfield revealing in his latest update on Friday that there are "a number of strong, credible offers" on the table.

It is unclear exactly which bidders remain in the frame to buy the club, but it has been reported that US billionaire John McEvoy has joined forces with the Storch family in attempt to secure a deal, while former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley is believed to be considering making an improved offer after having an initial bid of £20 million rejected last month.

Wednesday's administrators were originally hoping to name a preferred bidder by 5th December, but that process has been delayed slightly, with several of the interested parties said to be keen to spend more time studying the club's accounts, while some are believed to be unhappy at the prospect of having to pay the £15 million owed to Chansiri.

The administrators could potentially be in a position to move towards confirming a preferred bidder at the back end of next week, but a takeover may not be ratified until the early stages of next year due to the various EFL tests that will need to be completed.

Keith Wyness issues intriguing Sheffield Wednesday takeover claim

While the names of some of the bidders are already in the public domain, Wyness claims that he is aware of the identities of at least five parties who have made offers for Wednesday, while he also revealed that it will take a bid of at least £30 million to win the race for the club.

"Well, I’ve been keeping a close eye, of course. I mean, yeah, it’s another six points, which really doesn’t make that much difference because I think everybody agrees already they’re down. I think they’re on minus 10 there," Wyness told Football Insider's Inside Track podcast.

"Look, I’ve been watching the whole process carefully. It does seem that we’re coming towards the end game. Claims of five or six bidders. I’m aware of at least five. I know the identities of at least five that have been in the media as well. Two local guys plus one American.

"Who else have we got? We’ve got Mike Ashley, of course. And then the owner of FC Midtjylland, which is quite the interesting one. They have been very progressive and an interesting club. That would be a very interesting tie-up.

"Now, we’re talking about £30 million plus is going to be something like the winning bid. I don’t think it will be that much above that because the administrator recognises that whoever comes in will have to spend a lot of money on stadium and the club itself.

"So they’re not going to push them, I don’t think beyond that, but certainly anything under £30 million wouldn’t be accepted. So we’re looking at £30m, £35m. And it’d be one of those groups."

Sheffield Wednesday supporters will be excited after Keith Wyness takeover reveal

It is already well known that there is plenty of competition for Wednesday, but Wyness' claim that there are as many as five bidders in the running to take over the club is certainly positive news for Owls supporters.

Wyness mentioned the owner of FC Midtjylland, Anders Holch Povlsen, as one of those in the frame, but it has been confirmed that he is not planning to make an offer for Wednesday, so as the interested parties continue to be whittled down, there may be slightly fewer bidders still in the running at this stage than the ex-Everton CEO suggested.

However, it is clear that there are a number of credible and wealthy individuals who remain in the takeover process, and the long-suffering Owls faithful can look forward with optimism to the start of what should be a bright new era for the club.