Sheffield United’s hopes of returning to the Premier League next season could become even tougher after reports that Championship rivals Derby County are the subject of interest from billionaire Saudi boxing figure Turki Alalshikh - potentially introducing another major financial player into an already fiercely competitive promotion race.
Sheffield United’s hopes of challenging for promotion next season may be complicated further amid reports that one of their Championship rivals are the subject of interest from mega-rich boxing chief Turki Alalshikh. The Saudi figure has a net worth estimated to be in the billions.
He had previously been mentioned in connection with a potential takeover of United’s city rivals Wednesday, which didn’t materialise, and has also been linked with Bristol City amid his well-known desire to purchase a Championship club.
And the latest one reportedly in his sights are Derby County, fresh from a push for the play-offs which was only ended on the final day of the Championship season last term. Alalshikh has transformed the landscape of boxing through Riyadh Season and huge investment into the sport.
And Alalshikh has made an approach for Derby, speaking to current owner David Clowes. Rams fan Clowes spent £55m to save Derby from administration in 2022, but has recently been searching for fresh investment at Pride Park.
Read More
He is said to be open to selling as much as 80 per cent of his stake. Neither Derby nor Alalshikh have commented publicly on the reports, but both the EFL and Independent Football Regulator are understood to be aware of the situation.
But if a deal was eventually done it would represent another significant financial player entering an already fiercely competitive Championship landscape, and further crowd the field of clubs looking to escape its grasp.
To do so United will have to box clever in the transfer market this summer, with the budget placed at manager Chris Wilder’s disposal expected to be dwarfed by many of the Blades’ second-tier rivals.
West Ham United arrive from the Premier League carrying top-flight revenues and parachute payments while Southampton will go again after being booted out of the play-offs amid the Spygate saga.
Birmingham City and Wrexham may spend big again in their hopes of escaping the Championship but there is at least the prospect of two extra play-off spots on offer next term, with the end-of-season lottery expanded to six teams for the first time in 2026/27.
Continue Reading