Derby County: Chris Kirchner deal to buy Rams 'nearing completion', EFL board told

Chris Kirchner was named as the preferred bidder to buy Derby County last month

Chris Kirchner is moving closer to buying Derby County, the English Football League board has been told, with the US businessman insisting he eager to "get this done".

A number of outstanding issues still remain, including the future of the Rams' Pride Park home, which remains owned by former club owner Mel Morris.

Morris put the club into administration in September.

"It just comes down to the stadium," Kirchner said on Thursday.

"The way the entities under the previous owner were tied together - the stadium and rights to the stadium are intertwined," he told Rams TV.

"To have a club and a deal approved by the EFL you have to have a lease around to the ground. Because it's not part of the administration, it has added a layer of complexity.

"It's been a lot of sleepless nights I would say it's probably one of the more difficult if not the most difficult deal I have done in business. I wouldn't be here if we weren't close.

"At this point I have invested a lot of personal money in looking at the clubs. It's expensive. I want to get this done. I have grown fond of this.

"We came in searching for a club, now we have an idea of which club we want it to be and it's this one. Now we have to get some of the parties involved on the same page so we can get it done."

Asked why he was attracted to Derby, Kirchner stated he "grew up around" football, adding: "As far as Derby, I grew up in a town called Lexington, Kentucky. It's actually kind of similar to Derby. The fanbase, this is all they have, it's so important. When we looked at other clubs we were always comparing it to Derby."

EFL hopes for swift resolution

Derby had 21 points deducted for going into administration and breaches of financial regulations.

Their relegation to League One was confirmed in a defeat at Queens Park Rangers on 18 April.

Kirchner was revealed as the preferred bidder by administrators Quantuma last month.

On Monday, he said he expected the board to give him approval to take over on Thursday, as well as claiming the club would run out of money by Saturday.

However, in a statement the EFL said "evidence of source and sufficiency of funding has now been provided but there still remain a number of outstanding challenges to be resolved".

The statement went on to say: "As a result, the board has instructed the executive to continue its discussions with Mr Kirchner and his representatives in regard to finalising the terms of a membership agreement.

"However, a significant issue remains in respect of the status of the stadium and Mr Kirchner continues in dialogue with the relevant parties as to how this can be resolved.

"It is clear that the complexity associated with this aspect of the transaction is the biggest hurdle to overcome.

"The EFL acknowledges the current time pressures relating to Mr Kirchner's position as preferred bidder and will seek to conclude matters as soon as possible in line with requirements as set out in the league's insolvency policy."

Despite a 12-point penalty for entering administration and a further nine-point deduction for breaches of financial regulations, Wayne Rooney's team have accumulated 34 points and will finish in 22nd position in the Championship with a win against Cardiff in the final game of the season on Saturday.

• MOTD Top 10: Which is the best derby in English football?

• Your Place or Mine with Shaun Keaveny: The brand-new travel podcast that's going nowhere!