Simon Jordan has cautioned that Dejphon Chansiri could derail Sheffield Wednesday’s ongoing takeover efforts, warning that the club’s outgoing owner may ultimately become the biggest obstacle to securing new ownership by 2026.
Sheffield Wednesday are still navigating the takeover process after Chansiri placed the club in administration in October, ending his decade-long tenure at Hillsborough.
The club faces significant debt and major challenges for any incoming owner, including stadium upgrades that could exceed £100 million. Despite this, there remains strong interest from potential buyers.
On talkSPORT, former Crystal Palace chairman and pundit Simon Jordan was asked whether a takeover could realistically be completed by the New Year. He said he believed it was possible, noting the administrators are motivated to finalise a deal quickly. However, he warned that Chansiri’s attempts to recover money owed to him could complicate matters.
Chansiri invested well over £100 million into the club during his time in charge and is currently owed £62.5 million. Due to the “25 pence on the pound” rule in administration, he is only eligible to claim 25 percent of that—around £15.6 million.
Even so, he is still expected to pursue the £15 million he is entitled to before any sale is approved, which Jordan says could delay the entire process.
Jordan commented: “From the administrators’ point of view, they’ll want their fees settled quickly. There’s no reason a takeover couldn’t be done soon, but the battleground will be Chansiri.”
Six bidders are believed to be in contention. Mike Ashley reportedly made a £20 million offer—below the £30 million valuation—and saw his bid rejected. American businessman John McEvoy is also among the interested parties, with five formal bids already submitted.
Takeover updates have been limited so far in December, though administrators Begbies Traynor are expected to be working intensively behind the scenes to push the deal through.
Adding to the club’s challenges, Sheffield Wednesday’s six-point deduction has left them facing a likely drop to League One, further complicating the already difficult takeover picture.
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