American businessman John Textor has expressed interest in Sheffield Wednesday and is expected to hold talks with owner Dejphon Chansiri over a potential takeover of the Championship club, the Guardian understands. Textor, who recently sold his stake in Crystal Palace, has contacted Chansiri's representatives and aims to meet next week after arriving in the UK. The asking price is believed to be around £100 million, though it is unclear if Textor will match that figure.
Chansiri has engaged with several potential buyers this summer, rejecting a £40 million offer from an unnamed American consortium in June. Textor, who previously revived Brazilian club Botafogo from the second division to South American champions, sees Sheffield Wednesday as a similar opportunity to restore a historic club. He has consulted football financier Keith Harris but decided not to involve him in the deal.
Sheffield Wednesday faces financial difficulties, having failed to pay wages on time in March, May, and June. The club's manager Danny Röhl and key players left this summer, leaving only 15 first-team players at the start of the season. The EFL has expressed concern over the club's finances, and Hillsborough's North Stand was briefly deemed unsafe by the local council before the season began.
Textor, who is also working with UBS on an IPO for his firm Eagle Football Holdings, would prioritise investing in the squad if he takes over. Many fans boycotted Tuesday's Carabao Cup match against Leeds in protest against Chansiri, who has owned the club since 2015.
