Wayne Rooney makes Chris Kirchner claim following Derby County takeover update

Derby County manager Wayne Rooney believes that Chris Kirchner is an ambitious man after he was named as the preferred bidder by the club’s administrators.

Following a saga that has lasted since the end of September, Quantuma finally named the party that made the most acceptable bid and it came in the form of Kirchner, who had previously pulled out of the race.

After his initial bid was rejected in December, the American businessman pulled out of the running for the club, citing the complexity with the debts owed and issues with trying to buy the stadium from former owner Mel Morris as being the main reasons.

The 34-year-old looked to be on the verge of taking over Derby’s league rivals Preston North End instead, however after having a bid accepted for the Lilywhites, further lower bids were then turned down and then negotiations ended.

That has allowed Kirchner to return to the fold at County, and following a report from Alan Nixon that Derby City Council are looking into purchasing Pride Park from Morris and then leasing it out, his most recent bid has been accepted by the administrators.

Kirchner has recently described Rooney as a friend and in response to the American being named as the preferred bidder, the former Manchester United man said: “He’s an ambitious man who wants to do well for the club, so am I.”

Rooney on Kirchner: “He’s an ambitious man who wants to do well for the club, so am I.”