Derby County has spent the last 18 years outside the Premier League, and has recently recovered from the brink of extinction to become one of the Championship’s most ambitious clubs once more.

The Rams are preparing for their third consecutive season in the second tier after being promoted from League One under Paul Warne in April 2024, with John Eustace currently in charge and earning plenty of praise for his managerial style at Pride Park since joining from Blackburn Rovers in February 2025.

The 46-year-old helped the East Midlands club avoid relegation to the third division in his first months in DE24, where he previously played, before finishing ninth last season, two places and four points behind the play-offs.

However, that hasn’t stopped those in charge of on-field matters, as well as those in the boardroom, from displaying high levels of ambition in the summer transfer window, which has only been exacerbated by heavy takeover talks involving Saudi Arabian boxing tycoon Turki Alalshikh, who has a reported net worth of more than £2 billion.

Derby County nears huge takeover agreement with Turki Alalshikh.

Indeed, just after the end of last season, it was reported that the existing management, led by David Clowes, who saved the club from administration and imminent collapse four years ago, had discussed takeover ideas with Derby’s Supporters Board.

The Telegraph then alleged that the aforementioned Alalshikh had met with higher-ups at Pride Park to discuss the possibility of reaching an agreement between the parties involved.

It has also been known for some time that Clowes is willing to sell his majority ownership in the club, and the same publication has stated that Derby are close to reaching an agreement with the 44-year-old, albeit the cost of the transaction remains unknown.

According to reports, the EFL has given Alalshikh permission to continue the procedure, which will be reviewed by the Independent Football Regulator.

The IFR was implemented in July 2025 after the Football Governance Act was ratified, and there are no big issues about the boxing promoter, who formerly owned UD Almeria and Pyramids FC in Spain and Egypt, respectively.

How Derby County fans feel about Turki Alalshikh’s takeover announcement

Unsurprisingly, the majority of Rams fans are thrilled by the news on social media, with one saying, “I was wondering if this had gone dead or not earlier today, well there is my answer.” “These are exciting times to be a Derby fan right now.”

Another supporter, clearly caught up in a rush of euphoria following their summer transfer activity and what might come next, declared: “PREMIER LEAGUE RAMS!”.

However, one fan responded to the news with the wish that “If this does go through, let’s hope Clowes retains most of the control,” given how astute the current Rams owner has been since purchasing the club from Mel Morris.

Another Rams supporter took a cautious approach to the situation, saying, “We will still be limited in what we can spend.” Don’t get enthused about it. If this goes through, I’m more thrilled about potentially spending money on the club’s infrastructure, such as the training ground and stadium.

Meanwhile, fans of arch rivals Nottingham Forest have jumped in, with one fan at the City Ground responding: “I’m here for this Fawaz (Al-Hasawi)-level entertainment.” How long till Eustace is fired for Gerrard?

Derby County might leave Championship rivals feeling sorry following the Turki Alalshikh update.

If the IFR’s takeover is completed shortly, all eyes will be on developments at Pride Park, particularly for the remainder of the transfer window, as Eustace has already signed Bobby Clark from RB Salzburg on a permanent £6 million move.

Even more so, Derby’s divisional rivals may be envious, with Bristol City, Millwall, and Southampton all linked with a takeover by Alalshikh.

Indeed, it was established that the Robins, in particular, had held conversations with the tycoon about potential investment at Ashton Gate, which never materialised, while current owner Steve Lansdown had come under fire earlier in 2026 after the club fell out of the play-off picture.

However, it has been demonstrated that increased investment does not ensure success, thus the conflicting reactions to such news are very natural.