Mike Ashley will not be taking over at Championship side Derby County after administrators accepted a bid from Chris Kirchner to buy the club. The Rams have been in administration for seven months and are fighting for their lives to avoid relegation.
The former Newcastle United owner had been linked with a return to football, just months after selling up at St. James' Park. Kirchner will now enter a period of exclusivity but a deal is not yet completed.
There is a slim chance Ashley could still take over at the club, if talks between the Rams and Kirchner fall through. The group will now have to enter talks with former Derby owner Mel Morris for the lease of Pride Park.
