Friday Derby announcement should have Leeds, Newcastle and West Brom licking their lips: Opinion | OneFootball

Derby County supporters will have been hoping that the search for a new owner would’ve been wrapped up by now but they will at least be appreciative of the club administrators’ attempt to keep them in the loop.

On Friday, Quantuma CEO and joint administrator Carl Jackson released a statement that outlined that they are “continuing to make good progress and are seeking to complete a sale of Derby County Football Club in late January 2022”.

Given we are now seven days into December, optimism that a takeover deal could be completed in little more than a month’s time looks good news for the Rams on the surface but it may also have the clubs circling some of their prized assets licking their lips.

Sources informed Football League World earlier this month that a number of Derby’s talented young players were on the radar of other clubs ahead of the upcoming window and that the administrators are open to cashing in to cover running costs if a new owner is not in place.

Jason Knight looks to be the most in-demand, with Everton, Wolves, Crystal Palace, Leicester, Leeds, Burnley, and Newcastle all understood to be eyeing the 20-year-old, while Max Bird, Louie Sibley, and Jack Stretton have caught the attention of Brentford, Norwich City, Bournemouth, and West Bromwich Albion.

FLW sources have revealed that some clubs have enquired about double or even treble deals as they look to capitalise on the dire situation at Pride Park.

If the takeover is completed according to the administrators’ current timeline, then the interested clubs will have nearly a month to try and prize their targets away from the Rams while if there are further setbacks a deal may not happen before the end of the window.

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Supporters will hope that if the sale of the club is close then cashing on players won’t be on the administrators’ radar but there’s no doubt that Friday’s announcement should have the likes of Leeds, Newcastle, and Wolves licking their lips.

They may not get a better opportunity to bolster their youth ranks for some time.