Further update emerges on Chris Kirchner’s potential takeover of Preston North End

Lancashire Evening Post

The American businessman has been heavily linked with the Lilywhites in recent weeks after failing to complete a takeover of second-tier rivals Derby County, reportedly launching a £50m bid in an attempt to wrestle the Rams out of administration but failing to finalise a deal as he failed to be named preferred bidder.

Although the East Midlands side are still in the depths of administration as things stand, Kirchner is now focusing on other ventures and with Preston proving to be a reasonably stable ship in recent years, he has decided to make an approach to purchase the Lancashire club.

Sadly, North End’s previous owner Trevor Hemmings passed away last October, though his family have shown admirable commitment to the cause, since seeing the departure of Frankie McAvoy and bringing in a talented young manager in Ryan Lowe.

Their fortunes have vastly improved under the Liverpudlian’s stewardship and with that, their second-tier status is pretty much secured with a finish in the top six looking more likely than relegation at this stage.

However, they are outsiders for the play-offs at this moment in time, perhaps giving Kirchner real certainty as he looks to complete the deal, something he is said to be on the verge of as per yesterday’s paper edition of The Sun (13/3; page 60).

But according to the Lancashire Evening Post, due diligence work is still being carried out by the US businessman’s team and they are yet to submit a business plan to the EFL for the next two years, something that’s required if they want to take stewardship of the second-tier outfit.

He will also need to undertake an EFL test to ensure he is a suitable candidate to take Preston forward.

The Verdict:

This is an exciting, yet