Familiar face in chase to seal Derby takeover amid Mike Ashley silence

It's rarely dull when Derby County are concerned - and it seems to be one development after another at the East Midlands club right now.

A proposed takeover by American businessman Chris Kirchner finally collapsed this week when he withdrew after failing to meet numerous deadlines. After plenty of empty promises, Kirchner's bid became the third proposed takeover in the space of 18 months to hit the buffers.

Derby's long-suffering fans are still waiting for a new owner, having witnessed a season to forget which included a transfer embargo, being placed into administration, two points deductions and, finally, relegation to League One.

Now, a new man is said to be at the front of the queue to buy the two-time English champions - and it is a blast from the past.

Andy Appleby was chairman at Pride Park from 2008 to 2015 and his General Sports Worldwide (GSW) group, which includes the Burton Albion non-executive director Jez Moxey, is attempting to try and get a deal done for the Rams.

Following the collapse of Kirchner's bid, English Football League ( EFL ) chief executive Trevor Birch personally intervened in the takeover saga.

He said: "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."

Whilst Appleby's talks are said to be progressing positively, there remains uncertainty over Mike Ashley's interest. The Sports Direct mogul, who sold Newcastle for £305m last October, was said to be interested in a possible deal for Derby earlier this year but has been coy of late.

According to The Sunday Times Rich List, updated last month, Ashley has a net worth of almost £3billion, although it remains to be seen whether he will revive his interest in Derby. Time is of the essence, with administrators Quantuma having been in situ for nine months and the new EFL season starting in just over six weeks' time.

Manager Wayne Rooney, who has repeatedly said he is happy to stay at the club provided a takeover goes through, will surely be unhappy at the constant delays. It is also heavily affecting his recruitment plans.

Despite the club not having released an official retained list, the EFL's published document shows just a handful of players contracted for the coming season. It lists 15 in total, although of those, only six can be considered first-team regulars. There are also a number of players listed as having contracts which shortly expire but who have been offered fresh terms.

Fixtures for Derby's first season in the third tier since 1986 are out on Thursday, June 23.