Sheffield Wednesday face further EFL sanctions as Mike Ashley submits bid, deadline revealed
Sheffield Wednesday’s takeover saga has just taken another twist, as Mike Ashley has submitted a £20million bid to buy the club.
The former Newcastle United owner has been away from football since he sold the Magpies to their current owners back in 2021, but he now has his eyes fixed firmly on buying the South Yorkshire strugglers.
Wednesday have been in administration since 24 October, and they are currently sitting rock bottom of the Championship after a chastening 3-0 derby day defeat to Sheffield United at the weekend.
The Owls have had a tumultuous few months both on and off the pitch, and now Ashley is keen to strike a deal for a potential takeover.
Sheffield Wednesday face 5 December deadline as EFL sanctions loom
Sheffield Wednesday have now received plenty of interest in a potential takeover, including a shock enquiry from Sheffield United’s American owners.
Ashley is now the latest prospective owner to table a concrete bid for the Championship side.
The 61-year-old has put forward an offer of £20m, according to The Telegraph, which looks set to immediately force him into the forefront of the administrators’ reckoning.
The Owls are facing a race against time to meet their latest deadline, as they hope to have their preferred bidder publicly named by 5 December.
Sheffield Wednesday have already been hit with a 12-point deduction by the EFL due to entering administration, and yet more sanctions are now potentially on the horizon in the coming weeks, for allegedly failing to comply with financial regulations.
Mike Ashley will be no improvement on Dejphon Chansiri
Ashley was a hugely controversial figure at Newcastle during his time at the helm of the North East outfit, and the fact that he has now submitted a bid is major news for Wednesday.
However, there must surely be an immediate concern from the fans that the Englishman would effectively offer little improvement from the previous regime of Dejphon Chansiri.
The Thai businessman gained the contempt of fans in recent years after seemingly pulling the plug on his investment in the club, and Ashley carries a similar reputation of being tight with his cash from his time at St James’ Park.
Newcastle fans rejoiced when he finally relinquished his control of the club after 14 years in charge, and that will certainly worry the Hillsborough faithful as he now eyes a deal to become their latest chief.
However, such is the Owls’ current predicament that they unfortunately cannot afford to be selective over their next potential owner.