Football League World
·14 novembre 2024
Football League World
·14 novembre 2024
The prospective owners will need to show proof that they can fund the club for the next couple of years - and show where the money is coming from.
Sheffield United bidder Steve Rosen is yet to satisfy the EFL's financial demands, as the takeover saga continues to drag on.
According to Alan Nixon, this is a key barrier that is preventing a sale from being completed.
It was previously hoped that Rosen would have received EFL approval already, with this takeover dragging on for months and months now.
Prince Abdullah has been open to selling the club for quite some time now, with Henry Mauriss previously having a bid accepted and Dozy Mmobuosi also believed to have been in with a chance of purchasing the Blades.
But both Mauriss and Mmobuosi were unable to get a deal over the line in the end - and United's current owner guided them through their 2023/24 Premier League campaign.
But his reign at Bramall Lane looked set to come to an end earlier this month, with Rosen agreeing a deal to take control of the Blades.
However, getting EFL approval has been the last hurdle for Rosen, and thus far, he has been unable to get the green light from the competition organiser.
This saga hasn't prevented the South Yorkshire side from being competitive in the league, with plenty of additions being made during the summer window and Chris Wilder's side climbing into the top two despite starting the season on -2 points.
Now in competition with the likes of Sunderland and Leeds United for a top-two place, they will be hoping to maintain their current form.
On the pitch, United are doing very well, but off-field certainty may be needed if the Blades are to continue being a success, with the noise surrounding a takeover unlikely to be helpful.
At this point though, Rosen, his group and the EFL will all need to come to an agreement before they can get the keys to Bramall Lane.
Nixon believes Rosen and his group are yet to satisfy the financial demands of the EFL.
The EFL are keen to have a guarantee that the Championship side will be fully funded for the next two years, and not only that, but they are also keen to know where the money is going to come from to cover these costs.
With a £105m deal already being agreed, it seems as though this is the final hurdle in what has been a long saga, but Rosen and his team are yet to overcome this barrier.
The deal was reportedly due to be announced last week, but it may be some time before a takeover can be completed, depending on when the consortium can satisfy the League's wish.
Fans have experienced a number of false dawns in recent years.
Now, they will just want this takeover saga to be over and for a new owner to be installed.
It's right, however, that the EFL are uncompromising with their checks, because it will maximise the chances of Rosen and his group being suitable custodians for the South Yorkshire side.
It's now up to Rosen's group to see whether they can meet the financial demands of the League.