Mike Ashley has been revealed as one of the three final contenders to buy Sheffield Wednesday.
The Championship’s bottom club were deducted 12 points as a result of going into administration in October before receiving a further six-point penalty from the EFL this month.
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Three parties are in a race to buy Championship club Sheffield WednesdayCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
The second points deduction was related to failing to meet payment obligations.
As a result, the Owls are on -9 points after 19 matches ahead of their clash with Derby County on Monday.
However, fans have been handed an update as potential buyers jostle to complete a takeover.
According to the Daily Mail, Ashley is in a three-horse race alongside an American consortium and a group including Dunfermline owner James Bord.
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The US-based group is made up of billionaire John McEvoy and the Storch family.
Any purchase of the club would be subject to the preferred candidate passing the EFL’s Owners and Directors Test.
The report adds that the club’s administrators Begbies Traynor have slapped a £30million price tag on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, they are looking to secure as much money for creditors as possible in their process of choosing a buyer.
It follows news last month that the owners of bitter rivals Sheffield United had enquired about buying the club.
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Former Newcastle owner Ashley is interested in buying WednesdayCredit: GettyWho wants to buy Sheffield Wednesday?
Ashley is no stranger to football club ownership having previously been Newcastle owner for 14 years.
He bought the Magpies in 2007 and oversaw two promotions to the Premier League during his tenure, albeit after they were relegated to the Championship on two occasions before each promotion.
The club would be sold by Ashley to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in 2021.
His time as Newcastle owner also overlapped with Ashley’s spell as a minority shareholder in Rangers.
The former Sports Direct CEO is not the only interested party in Wednesday to have a connection to Scottish football, though.
Bord is part of the group which bought second tier Dunfermline back in January.
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Former poker player Bord already owns Dunfermline as well as stakes in clubs in Spain and BulgariaCredit: POKER VIDEO
The ex-poker player also holds a minority stake in clubs in Spain and Bulgaria.
Dunfermline are currently fifth in the Scottish Championship following a seventh place finish last term.
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As for the Storch family, they have previously shown an interest in buying Plymouth Argyle.
The Pilgrims have been owned by American businessman Simon Hallett since 2018 and are currently 21st in League One.