Update emerges on Mike Ashley’s Derby County takeover stance

Former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley remains keen on completing a deal to take over Derby County, The Telegraph’s John Percy has revealed.

However there has been no contact by the Rams’ administrators Quantuma with Ashley for two months, despite the businessman having an offer on the table for the club.

The administrators have now been urged by North West Leicestershire Member of Parliament Andrew Bridgen to make contact with the 57-year-old in an attempt to strike a deal, with time running out to save Wayne Rooney’s side.

It is believed that Ashley was close to agreeing a takeover of the Rams back in December, but talks broke down and he has had no contact with Quantuma since January.

Percy revealed on Wednesday evening that the club is no closer to finding a buyer, with only two offers on the table – from Ashley and a consortium based in the United States – but neither were close to being named the preferred bidder with their offers being lower than Quantuma want.

Quantuma revealed at the end of last week that they would be studying the offers over the weekend of March 26-27 and they would be in a position to communicate to the EFL who the preferred bidder would be by the end of the current week.

Time is ticking though and the club looks no closer to having a takeover sorted, let alone one party being named as the preferred one.

The Verdict

We are getting into the critical stages of the takeover process where it seems to be do or die now for Derby County.

As Percy said on Wednesday evening, County are weeks away from liquidation if Quantuma do not get their act together and they are more-than likely going to have to lower their asking price.

It is either that or Mel Morris is going to have to come to a compromise