US investment firm makes formal offer that could save Derby

Derby County are currently in administration

Derby County may have have hopes of staying in business after it was confirmed that an American investment firm had made a formal offer for the stricken Championship club. BBC Radio Derby reported on Friday that Carlisle Capital had tabled a bid for Derby, saying: "I have had confirmation that a bid has been tabled by the US investment firm Carlisle Capital. They have submitted a formal bid to buy Derby County. "I have had that from the horse's mouth. That is a major step forward in the future of Derby County" https://twitter.com/BBCDerby/status/1484547558634577922 The news comes a day after the club's administrators Quantama told the EFL that the club would run out of money in February. "We have provided the EFL with three scenarios as to how that funding gap can be bridged and the EFL await further confirmation from us as to which scenario we plan to deliver. This will be dealt with over the next few days," they said, as per the BBC. Derby are currently locked in a war with both Middlesbrough and Wycombe Wanderers. Both clubs claim to have missed out financially due to Derby's rule breaches - with Middlesbrough missing out on the play-offs in 2019, whilst Wycombe would have survived relegation to League One had the Rams' nine-point deduction been inflicted last season. At present, Derby are unable to sign any players and have been unable to offer contracts to new players, culminating in the departure of Phil Jagielka as well as the sale of Graeme Shinnie to Wigan Athletic. Former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley had previously been linked with a £50m takeover of the club, however it remains to be seen if he is still in the running. Related links:

• Mike Ashley considering bid for Derby County
• Derby County facing point deduction after filing for administration
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