BLUES & RAMS IN REAL JAMS
Birmingham and Derby takeovers falling apart and now time’s nearly up
THEY are separated by 40 miles and are now in different divisions – but there is an eerie connection between Birmingham and Derby.
Both are searching for new owners and both desperately need genuine saviours, rather than outspoken dreamers, with the start of the EFL season just six weeks away.
The League One Rams have gone back to the drawing board in their search for a buyer after American Chris Kirchner proved to be a massive time-waster and not the messiah.
Now there are increasing fears at Championship City that their Chinese hierarchy may have to do the same, despite Laurence Bassini’s public pledges – including replacing boss Lee Bowyer with Mark Warburton. Bassini, who was declared bankrupt in the past, used to run Watford and has since served a three-year ban from football. He has previously unsuccessfully tried to take over Oldham, Charlton and Bolton.
Now Birmingham may be added to the list before the EFL fixtures are released on Thursday. City’s owners are restless as Bassini is yet to buy out their largest shareholder, Vong Pech, who has agreed to sell his 21.64 percent stake with the backing of the club’s board.
Bassini signed a ‘special price agreement’ for the stake, as part of a two-year plan to own the whole club in a deal worth £36.5million, including the stadium.
But it is understood the agreement is due to expire later this week if Bassini is unable to pay up. He has already admitted he must borrow £10m in order to attempt the deal and has held talks with ex-Blues owner and West Ham chief David Sullivan about a loan.
Birmingham officials want Bassini to either pay up or shut up after his public declarations.
Any deal would also be subject to EFL approval and, at the close of play on Friday, no paperwork about Bassini and the Blues had been lodged for the League to review. A rival group, headed by fashion mogul Paul Richardson and ex-Argentine striker Maxi Lopez, have also submitted an offer which they insist still stands.
Richardson and Lopez (the pair, above left) are waiting in the wings to see if their proposal could be accepted instead if Bassini misses his final deadline.
There is growing urgency as Birmingham are losing money and have needed regular cash injections from the Far East to prop up the club.
If no takeover happens, the Blues will limp on but officials are under pressure to cut their wage bill – which included paying Manchester United loanee Tahith Chong £40,000 a week last term.
Derby simply must have new owners to survive, however, as the club’s administrators, Quantuma, search frantically.
Former Newcastle owner Mike Ashley (above top) is one of several interested parties but has a strained relationship with administrators. Former Rams chairman Andy Appleby (above centre) has made his takeover bid official and former Wolves chairman Steve Morgan (above) is among several other interested parties.
Lots of names and lots of hope, but for fans it is action and answers that are now required.