Hated former Newcastle United owner given boost in Sheffield Wednesday takeover bid
Mike Ashley has been linked with rescuing cash-strapped Sheffield Wednesday four years after selling Newcastle United.
Sheffield Wednesday could be just days away from being placed into administration - leaving the coast clear for Mike Ashley to launch a takeover bid.
The Owls - whose fan base are vehemently protesting against hated owner Dejphon Chansiri - face a winding-up petition over an unpaid tax bill. According to the Daily Mail, HMRC are now set to take action over the debt - worth around £750,000.
On the field, Wednesday sit a point from safety in the Championship relegation zone. Home games have descended into chaos, with fans making their feelings clear towards the owner.
Dejphon Chansiri’s £40m price tag
It is reported that Chansiri has demanded around £40million for the club - deemed unrealistic by supporters. On a positive note for Wednesday, the decision could be taken out of his hands if they are put into administration.
Mike Ashley interest
If the tax bill remains unpaid, Thai businessman Chansiri would be forced to place the club into administration. Ultimately, this move allows for an independent third party to handle Wednesday’s future.
Doing so would reduce the price tag and pave the way for potential buyers like Ashley - reportedly interested in the cash-strapped club - to make an offer. The Sports Direct tycoon has maintained a vested interest in football since selling Newcastle United in October 2021.
He considered saving Derby County before their eventual takeover three years ago. Ashley also bought Coventry City’s stadium - which he no longer owns - to highlight a continued interest in football.
The 61-year-old will never be welcome on Tyneside but does possess a cut-throat financial acumen that could help Wednesday balance the books. Any progress beyond that, however, might be beyond their reach given Ashley’s lack of ambition as Newcastle owner.
‘I’m a negative’ - Mike Ashley
Rewind to a time when Ashley gave arguably his most honest account of his time as Newcastle owner. He told the Daily Mail in 2019: “I'm a negative to that football club. It's not a secret. I don't feel sorry for myself. It is down to me, not Newcastle.
“I give myself one out of five in some aspects because I made proper mistakes, and football isn't a very forgiving place. I didn't just shoot myself in the foot; I blew my own leg off.
“People would look at me and think I'd gone temporarily insane. They didn't know what I was doing. It is so much bigger than when I got involved. I thought at the time I could put in £10million, £20million and it would make a big difference. And it would have done. Now - it's nothing.
“Put in £10million and it's a joke. OK, that's how the market is. But it's not something I can afford, and it's not something Newcastle can afford while I own it. The overriding reality is that I am just not wealthy enough to own Newcastle. I genuinely believe you need £1billion. People say £500million but I'd bet anyone that these days you can't do it for that. Not to compete at the very top.”