Wayne Rooney’s Derby face bitter fight with Middlesbrough and Wycombe as clubs seek £51million in compensation
WAYNE ROONEY’S Derby County are in crisis talks with the EFL as a fight with Middlesbrough and Wycombe threatens their survival bid.
The Rams administrators want to ‘compress’ the compensation claims by Boro and Wanderers who are seeking £45million and £6m respectively for the effect of their Financial Fair Play breaches.
Boro owner Steve Gibson is asking the EFL to back their push for cash as creditors, avoiding a legal fight and any possible reduction in their pay day.
Wycombe have also taken ‘top level advice’ on their stance as Derby’s administrators battle to get their way.
The administrators hoped to have an agreement on this method and pick a preferred bidder, with Mike Ashley and a consortium including Andy Appleby waiting for a result.
The EFL need to approve Derby’s takeover plan before they are allowed out of administration. They are under severe pressure to back the claim from Boro and Wycombe.
If that £51 million bill is added to the list it will make settling claims with the tax man and other creditors much harder.
News of the EFL’s position has been passed to the prospective buyers. An EFL spokesman declined to comment on their stance last night.
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Rams boss Wayne Rooney expects the Derby takeover to be completed next week.
Rooney said: “Whoever this preferred bidder is obviously wants to stay quiet until it happens, which is fair enough.
“But I know it is very close and I’m sure I will be sitting in front of you next week with the preferred bidder in place.
“Have I had any contact with the preferred bidders left in the race? I don’t even know who they are.
“I think there are two in there but I’ve no idea who they are.”
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