Wayne Rooney handed long-awaited Derby boost as struggling club names preferred bidder

06.04.2022 - 22:31 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Manchester United hero Wayne Rooney has been provided with a long-awaited update regarding the future of Derby County.

The Rams, who are in administration due to financial difficulties, have named US entrepreneur Chris Kirchner as their preferred bidder. It means talks can now commence exclusively with the American software businessman regarding the long-term security of the club.

Rooney has seen his club docked 21 points this season due to accounting breaches and for entering administration. His club lies nine points adrift of safety in the Championship relegation zone with six games left to play.

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When appearing on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football this week, United icon Rooney admitted he hadn’t spoken to any of the bidders who had come forward to take on the Rams. He said: “I spoke to one earlier before Christmas and then that didn’t happen.

“I think there are three preferred bidders on the table. I know who one of them is but I haven’t spoken to them. The other two I have no idea.”

Now Derby’s joint administrators have named Kirchner as the club's lead choice. One of them, Carl Jackson, said: “We are delighted to be able to name Mr Kirchner as the preferred bidder, which the joint administrators consider represents the best deal for creditors and one which will secure the long-term future of the club.

“The naming of our preferred bidder represents a significant milestone in the administration, and we look forward to working with Mr Kirchner and his team to complete the sale of the club.”

Kirchner had shut down his interest in Derby in December but returned to the table after failing to complete a takeover of Preston