Derby County's preferred bidder Chris Kirchner says he has held a meeting with ex-owner Mel Morris as he bids to get his takeover deal across the line.
The American businessman has been in lengthy discussions to purchase the Rams, who have been in administration last September. The club will be playing in League One next season after relegation from the second tier amid a 21-point handicap this term.
One of the key issues said to be holding up the deal is the situation regarding Derby's ground. Morris previously separated Pride Park from the club's ownership, buying it with a company registered in his name to comply with financial fair play regulations.
The club's future remains uncertain and the prospect of a ground-share agreement next season with Midlands rivals Stoke or Leicester has already been mooted. Posting an update on Twitter, Kirchner revealed that the situation is at an "impasse" but hit out at people who have levelled death threats against the club's former owner.
Kirchner wrote: "I’ve spoken to Mel this morning in a meeting with several of the key parties. We remain at an impasse, but I’m hopeful everyone will come around to agree to save this great football club and so that we can move on with rebuilding it.
"I want to also say that it has been brought to my attention that Mel has received death threats and other threatening messages. There is absolutely NO place for that. Tensions are high. There is an unbelievable amount of emotion involved. However, violence and/or the threat of it is NEVER acceptable and I ask that everyone lets this play out in an appropriate manner."
Responding to a fan's question on the social media platform, Kirchner also revealed manager Wayne Rooney had been up late with him on Friday as the takeover negotiations continued long into the night.
Saturday not only marked the final day of Kirchner's period of exclusivity as preferred bidder but saw Derby's final game of the Championship season take place. They ended on a low note, losing 1-0 at home to Cardiff City but Kirchner has now revealed Rooney was burning the midnight oil just hours before that match.
Kirchner added: "I’ve gotten myself sick trying to get this completed. So many people on my side have worked through the night all week. Wayne even was with us until almost 3am Friday night. We want to be a part of Derby and are doing all we can."
Speaking post-match on Saturday, Rooney said: "I know Chris has done everything, I was with him until 2:30am this morning in meetings exploring every possibility. He's put a lot of time and effort into trying to acquire the club and the stadium is the last piece, everything else is done.
"I know there are meetings going on now, so hopefully that will be positive and we can all look forward to an exciting summer with players coming in, players re-signing contracts and the start of this club trying to move forward."
