Four or Five Serious Buyers Emerge as Takeover Hopes Rise For Sheffield Wednesday

Sheffield Wednesday’s joint administrator, Kris Wigfield, has revealed that four or five serious bidders are in talks to buy the club, raising hopes that new ownership could be in place before the end of the year.

The Championship side entered administration on Friday, ending Dejphon Chansiri’s ten-year reign. Under EFL regulations, the club must remain on the market for at least 28 days, but Wigfield says there has already been “concrete interest” from credible investors.

Speaking on BBC 5 Live’s Wake Up to Money, Wigfield said he hopes a deal can be completed in time for the January transfer window so the new owners can strengthen the squad.

“As always, you get a lot of interest that doesn’t meet the criteria,” Wigfield explained. “But within the numerous inquiries we’ve had, there are already four or five parties that look like the real deal.”

He confirmed that any potential buyer must meet two key conditions: they must demonstrate the financial capability to make the club viable over the next few years, and they must be able to pass the EFL’s fit and proper persons test.

The Owls sit bottom of the Championship, 16 points from safety after a 12-point deduction for entering administration. Prospective owners are aware that a return to League One is possible, with further sanctions looming over unpaid wages from last season.

However, Wigfield indicated that any additional penalties are expected to be applied this season, reducing the risk of them affecting next year and making the club a more attractive investment.