Kirchner still adamant he wants to buy Derby | Ashley complains to administrators

Chris Kirchner is adamant he still intends to complete a deal to buy Derby County despite missing several deadlines for the purchase money to be paid, Sky Sports News can reveal.

Kirchner no longer has exclusivity to try to complete a takeover after missing Friday’s 5pm deadline, set by the club’s administrators.

It is understood he has told Quantuma, the administrators, the money to buy the club is lodged in a European bank clearing account, awaiting money-laundering checks to be completed.

Kirchner has altered his plans to fly back to America, and will stay in the UK to try to finalise a deal.

Sky Sports News can confirm Kirchner is one of five parties still interested in buying Derby – former Wolves owner Steve Morgan has now withdrawn his interest.

Former Derby chairman Andy Appleby is in renewed negotiations with Quantuma, but he is working to sure up investors who will commit to investing.

Mike Ashley, former owner of Newcastle, has the cash to buy the club by himself and is still determined to purchase, but says he is being ignored by the administrators, while two other, as yet unnamed, groups are also involved in the bidding process.

All the delays have led to increased debt on Derby’s books, which means the asking price for the club is continually rising.

The original price, in the “high twenties of millions”, is now likely to be in excess of ?30m as a result, with the option to buy Pride Park adding around ?22m on top of that figure.

A price tag of over ?50m is more than any investor would pay to buy many Championship clubs. But it’s thought Derby, despite relegation to League One, is still a very attractive proposition because of its big fanbase and future commercial potential.