REPORT: EFL Approve Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Neyahan’s Derby County Takeover

Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Neyahan’s Derby County Takeover Inches Closer

EFL to Approve Takeover

The Telegraph’s John Percy has reported that Sheikh Khaled’s bid to take over Championship side Derby County has received approval from the EFL. Rumours of a possible deal started to surface last week but things are now progressing.

Philip Cocu said: “Mr Morris (Mel Morris) has been looking for an investor or support in a way, so it is not like it is something completely new.” The Derby manager felt that the takeover talks were not really affecting things on the pitch.

Current owner Mel Morris feels he cannot put enough money into the club to take them to the next level and back to the Premier League. If the deal is successful then Morris is expected to stay at the club but it is not yet known in what capacity this might be.

Cousin of Sheikh Mansour of Manchester City

Sheikh Khaled is the cousin of Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour. Derby County fans will be looking at this proposed takeover and hoping for a level of investment they could only dream of previously. Sheikh Khaled has failed in previous attempts to purchase Premier League clubs Liverpool and Newcastle United.

Investment

Derby County have spent money under Mel Morris but it has resulted in two failed playoff matches and seen them revert to looking to youth in their academy. Philip Cocu was brought in to work with the young squad following Frank Lampard’s project two seasons ago. Things have not gone well with this approach and Derby find themselves in the bottom three of the Championship following another defeat on 4th November at home to Queens Park Rangers.

Sheikh Khaled is worth a reported £118 billion and with coronavirus hitting clubs hard, this takeover could be a real boost to Derby. It would provide Cocu with a huge war chest for January and enable them to focus on getting up the league and vying for promotion back to the Premier League.

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