Derby County takeover revelation emerges

Derby County preferred bidder Chris Kirchner’s period of exclusivity can be extended according to Derby council leader Chris Poulter who spoke to ITV, with the existing period due to expire this weekend.

The US businessman is currently in the process of completing a takeover for the second-tier in a bid to pull them out of administration, a deal that could save the Rams from liquidation with funds likely to evaporate after the end of the season.

This is because the East Midlands side have been relying on their supporters to put money into the club as they look to remain afloat in tough conditions, with a takeover yet to be signed and sealed.

This is partly due to the fact a deal regarding Pride Park is yet to be struck, with Mel Morris slapping a £20m price tag on their home stadium and Kirchner refusing to negotiate with his potential predecessor who the made decision to put the club into administration last September.

Various issues including a dispute with Championship rivals Middlesbrough have held up any deal being completed since then with the club’s administrators only naming their preferred bidder in the early stages of last month – and this has left Derby in a perilous situation as money continues to dry up.

However, it has been revealed by council leader Poulter, whose team are trying to negotiate an agreement for Pride Park to clear the pathway for the club’s purchase to be finalised, that Kirchner’s period of exclusivity can be extended beyond today.

He said: “I am not involved in the negotiations but officers from finance, property, business and legal teams are working on it.

“We are waiting to see what comes out from it. As far as the timescales go, we are aware there is a period of exclusivity regarding