Derby County will announce the identity of their new owners on Friday. Manager Wayne Rooney expects that Quantuma have accepted the highest bid placed and will be replaced imminently.
Over the last few weeks, former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has emerged as one of the people who could take over the club. A committee headed by former Rams chairman Andy Appleby is also in discussions to be the next in charge.
Derby County will face crisis if debts aren’t cleared off
‘I think we all should know by Friday,’ said Rooney. ‘I am saying that with some confidence. I know there have been meetings and the EFL are making decisions. My understanding is that at some point on Friday we should know who the preferred bidder is.’
Whoever the new owner is will have to pay off the outstanding debts of the club, or risk facing a 15-point deduction. The unsecured football creditors would have to be paid 25 per cent of what they are owed, for the club to avoid their third points deduction of the year.
Derby County have already had 21 points deducted, 12 for entering administration in September and nine for historical financial breaches. They are currently 11 points away from safety in the Championship and would certainly drop to League One if they face another points deduction.
Wayne Rooney has been remarkable during his time in charge of the Rams, but a lot of work needs to be done for them to stay up this year.
