Derby County secured their highest finish in the Championship since their 2018/19 run to the play-off final but Turki Alalshikh’s investment could transform things at Pride Park.
John Eustace and co. managed to finish eighth in just their second Championship campaign after promotion from League One. However, the second tier has a number of larger fish in the pond in 2026/27 and investment may be the best way to compete with those teams.
David Clowes, who saved Derby County from going bust when they were in administration in 2022 has also said he is open to new investors coming in, per the BBC, to help push the club towards being a Premier League-level side once more.
Since then, Turki Alalshikh has dropped hints about Derby on social media for some time now. He is one of the most influential figures in Saudi Arabian sport and entertainment and could join Clowes in taking the club forward to potentially compete with the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United.
Turki Alalshikh closes in on Derby County deal
In reality, there are few clubs more attractive in the Championship than the Rams for investors. Derby, in many ways, are primed for a takeover or at least an equity investor putting extra capital into the club.
That financial backing since last December when Clowes confirmed that he is open to a sale, according to the Derby Telegraph. Following that, the idea of the Saudi multimillionaire. In fact, we looked into Alalshikh’s net worth amid Derby takeover talk growing.
Alalshikh has dropped further Derby takeover hints recently in the weeks and months since, with it now appearing talks between Derby and Alalshikh are advancing and perhaps heading towards an end.
The conclusion of talks appear to be in sight, with the Derby Telegraph reporting that Derby have had “multiple interested parties” discussing possible investment as Alalshikh looks to wrap up a deal with the Championship club.
What will happen to David Clowes if Turki Alalshikh seals Derby County deal
The club confirmed it has been in conversations with potential investors and it’s also reported that the Independent Football Regulator aware of the Saudi entrepreneur’s interest. Chief executive Stephen Pearce has also commented on the latest via the Supporters’ Board notes.
They said: “Stephen informed us that there are multiple interested parties in conversation with the club but that no public announcements would be made until the Independent Football Regulator (IFR), the EFL, and legal processes permit.
“The club’s position has been consistent over the last few years that they will not comment on speculation in the media to confirm or deny any links; otherwise, that would mean that the club would need to comment on every potential report.
“The club did not give us any additional confidential information on the status of investment or on specific parties involved beyond this.
“A prospective investor would be taken to the IFR/EFL once there is an in-principle agreement. The IFR have a broad remit to access information across government departments and if a party is deemed unsuitable discussions can end.
“The current owners will make the final decision on when, who and how much of the club is sold, so we accepted that the questions we asked are not solely a club matter.”
Turki Alalshikh is a defining individual for the Independent Football Regulator
Alalshikh’s investment could transform this Derby side after securing eighth last season under Eustace, but there is no guarantee that he will pass the required checks to buy some or all of the club from Clowes.
The IFR will have the final say on whether a deal can move forward, possessing the power to investigate prospective owners, review where their funding comes from and evaluate whether they have the financial strength to sustain the club in the years ahead.
In fact, Alalshikh’s IFR evaluation could be a “defining test” for the regulator. That’s because The IFR confirmed in September 2025. as relayed by the BBC, that they would be overhauling the Owners & Directors Test.
That test verifies whether new club owners or other people of significant control are suitable to run a club. It’s a potentially seminal moment for them and one they will be desperate to get right. Derby might not be in the clear yet.
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