Exclusive: Far East Buyer Emerges in Race to Rescue Crisis-Hit Sheffield Wednesday

Sheffield Wednesday, who are teetering on the precipice of a full-blown financial crisis following a chaotic summer, have attracted attention from a potential purchaser in the Far East, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

American businessman John Textor, who recently divested his interest in Crystal Palace, remains the leading contender to replace current owner Dejphon Chansiri at Hillsborough after the EFL last night ramped up the pressure on the Thai by making it clear they want him to leave South Yorkshire.

But a number of well-placed sources today insisted that Textor, who has also resigned his leadership position at Lyon following their demotion from Ligue 1, is not the only person keen on acquiring Chansiri’s shares and saving Wednesday from potential implosion.

Indeed, there are suggestions that a would-be buyer has now emerged from his homeland although the person in question is not thought to have any links with either the 57-year-old or his family. 

If they are able to successfully open negotiations with Chansiri, whose legal advisors are in talks with the EFL about the current situation at Wednesday, it is believed the individual would have no problem convincing the governing body of either his wealth or ability to provide the necessary resources to continue to day to day running of the team.

Before parting company with manager Danny Rohl and unveiling Henrik Pedersen as his successor, Wednesday were sanctioned by the EFL for failing to pay their staff on time - something which has been a regular issue since the end of last term.

THREATS NOT TO PLAY

After growing tired of the situation and expressing solidarity with their off-the-pitch colleagues, Wednesday’s first team squad are known to have considered threatening to withdraw their labour for this weekend’s Championship opener against Leicester City.

Despite later confirming they would take part in the fixture, the EFL’s decision to speak publicly about the issues at Hillsborough is the clearest indication yet that the situation is untenable.

Although he refused to explicitly confirm his position, Textor is known to be watching events there closely while Dave Richards, a well-known Sheffield businessman, has put himself forward as a possible chairman as Wednesday look to negotiate safe passage through one of the stormiest periods in their history.

With his employers under a fee transfer embargo until midway through the 2026/27 campaign, Pederson faces a difficult start to his reign although both Textor and his rival from Asia would attempt to broker a compromise of they replace the increasingly embattled Chansiri at the helm.