Ashley steps up Derby takeover bid

MIKE ASHLEY informed Derby County’s administrators yesterday that he remains ‘ready and willing’ to buy the club now that US businessman Chris Kirchner’s bid appears to have collapsed.

The move is likely to be greeted with mixed emotions by Derby fans. The Sports Direct founder was unpopular during his 14-year ownership of Newcastle and criticised for his lack of ambition and investment. But, with Derby’s very existence at stake, he may be the least worst option. Ashley has made it clear privately

that he wants to buy Pride Park Stadium back from Derby’s former owner Mel Morris and it must be assumed he would invest to try to regain Premier League status, otherwise Derby would likely stay a long-term loss-making club.

Ashley contacted the administrators Quantuma via their lawyers, Pinsent Masons, after Kirchner missed a 5pm Friday deadline to complete his own buyout. ‘Our client confirms that [he] remains interested in acquiring the club,’ said the letter from Ashley’s lawyers. ‘[He] has however been disappointed by the failure of the joint administrators to engage constructively in this regard to date.’

The administrators did not respond to a request for comment.

A source close to Kirchner claimed he ‘still wants to complete on Derby in an acceptable timeframe’. The source claimed Kirchner’s funds are verified and are in a clearing account awaiting anti-money laundering approval.