Derby County takeover ‘issue’ revealed amid Newcastle ‘links’: ‘I’m surprised…’
Derby County are slightly fortunate that Turki Alalshikh’s impending takeover of the club has been granted permission by the EFL.
That is according to former Everton chief executive and ex-Premier League board member Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who is concerned over the investor’s “links” with Newcastle’s PIF ownership.
Derby’s takeover is now approaching its final stages, with the independent football regulator expected to give the final green light to the deal in the coming days.
However, Wyness believes that the Rams will have had to answer a “question mark” regarding the connection between Alalshikh and PIF.
Newcastle chairman Yasir Al Rumayyan serves as the governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, while Alalshikh is the country’s Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority.
Wyness believes that his impending involvement could have been viewed as a potential breach of the multi-club ownership rules, given the duo’s shared involvement in the Saudi government.
Derby ‘guaranteed’ to avoid ‘silly’ ownership decisions
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Derby have clearly provided sufficient evidence to suggest that there is no conflict of interest between Alalshikh and Al-Rumayyan.
The Scottish businessman made it clear that while suspicions are inevitable, the club must have genuine proof to suggest that there is nothing to be concerned about.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, he explained why the planned retention of current owner David Clowes as chairman is a smart move.
“Where I'm surprised is that there are still issues around PIF and the whole ownership. There's no doubt that Turki Alalshikh has got very close links to the PIF,” Wyness said.
“While he's a separate entity and he has had another club in Spain, is he sufficiently distanced from Newcastle and the ownership of Newcastle?
“Obviously, they've argued that he is and the EFL have accepted that. But, you know, it's a question mark they will have had to answer. But nevertheless, there's a serious cash injection coming into Derby.
“Derby are a club that's set up to be a Premier League club. Great fan base. I know they sold out their season tickets allocation in record time again this season. So I'm really pleased for them.
“I think this is a good situation where they keep a British owner who knows the club and can be guaranteed not to do silly things about the club and still have foreign investment.”
Derby take closer look at ex-Rangers starlet
Football Insider revealed last week that Derby have taken ex-Rangers goalkeeper Alfie Halliwell on trial after his release from Ibrox earlier this summer.
The 18-year-old came through the Rangers academy, and spent last season gaining first-team experience out on loan at Lowland League side Albion Rovers.
Derby are now keen to assess his ability at close quarters, and have given him the chance to impress on a trial contract.
The Rams will potentially then offer him a contract to join their academy setup, if they believe he has the potential to make it to first-team level in the future.