EFL express 'increasing concerns' over Derby takeover and plan 'urgent action'

Prospective owner Chris Kirchner failed to complete his purchase of the League One side in time, and the EFL are seeking more of a role in finding the club a new owner.

Wayne Rooney's Rams have been in administration since September 2021, suffering from a 21-point deduction which saw the side relegated from The Championship down to the third tier.

After interest from the likes of Spanish businessman Erik Alonso failed to materialise, administrators Quantuma named Kirchner as their preferred bidder on April 6.

A sale and purchase agreement was reached on May 16, but the American failed to transfer funds for the deal to be completed in time.

The EFL have now released a statement saying that urgent action is needed to get the deal done with their help.

It reads: "The EFL has today informed the Administrators at Derby County that following the failure of Mr Chris Kirchner to conclude a sale of the Club, it is changing the terms of the suspended Notice of Withdrawal issued when the Club entered into administration in September 2021.

"The League is increasingly concerned that the ongoing delays in the sale process now present a real risk to the integrity of next season's competition, with the 2022/23 fixture list due to be released in less than two weeks, and need to act now in the best interests of the EFL.

"The suspension of the Notice of Withdrawal of the Club's share in the EFL is subject to conditions that, in accordance with the League's insolvency policy, the EFL Board determine and given the lack of progress by the Administrators to finalise a transaction, it now considers it appropriate to revise the conditions of suspension.

"As a result, the EFL has informed the Administrators that there will be a revision to the conditions attached to the suspension and the EFL is now to be made a party to all correspondence and discussions between the Administrators, and any and all potential bidders, with an acknowledgment that the League will be able to negotiate directly in relation to matters concerning the transfer of the share in the EFL.

EFL CEO Trevor Birch added: "Following this latest setback for the Club and its fans, it is vitally important that a sale of the Club is concluded at the earliest opportunity and we want to ensure that this objective is achieved.

"Up until now we have provided the Administrators with the time and opportunity to manage the sale process but with the long stop date on the asset purchase agreement and the membership agreement now passed, further urgent proactive action is required in order to do whatever is possible to secure the Club's future as a continuing member of the EFL."