Sheffield Wednesday, a Championship club currently under administration, has received proof of £50m funds from three interested parties looking to take over the club. This development comes after the club was placed into administration last Friday, ending Dejphon Chansiri's tumultuous 10-year spell as owner.
The Owls were given a 12-point deduction by the English Football League (EFL) following their entry into administration. This has left them at the bottom of the second tier, trailing by 16 points for safety. Under Chansiri's chaotic ownership, wage payments had been delayed five times in seven months.
However, there is some positive news for employees as administrators announced on Thursday that all wages had been paid a day earlier than scheduled.
Fan support and potential buyers
Since entering administration, fans have ended their boycott of Sheffield Wednesday. Many supporters previously refrained from attending Carabao Cup fixtures against Leeds United and Grimsby Town at Hillsborough and this month's home league game with Middlesbrough.
Kris Wigfield, who is leading the search for new ownership as an administrator said that supporters have already spent more than £500k on tickets and in the club shop since entering administration. He also mentioned that there are "four or five interested parties that look like real deal." However due to EFL rules stipulating a mandatory market period of 28 days before moving towards preferred-bidder status; it will be some time before any potential takeover can progress further.
Wigfield expressed optimism about finalizing new ownership soon stating: "I'm hopeful that by end November we might know who's going to buy football club." He added that if things go well then hopefully a deal can be concluded this calendar year so new owner could participate in January transfer window subject to EFL approval.
