Prospective Derby Owner Erik Alonso Pulls Out of Takeover Deal Last Minute

Overtime Heroics Editorial

748 days ago

The Spanish businessman was in advanced talks to purchase the East Midlands club, even frequently showing his support for Derby County over Twitter. Alonso, who made his fortune in investment and as a sports personality, had previously tried to buy Sheffield Wednesday, and enquired about Cardiff City; but many thought he was set to take ownership of the Rams.

Erik Alonso, who was set to takeover Derby County, withdraws from deal after embarrassing Twitter moment.

Englishman Mel Morris has owned Derby County since September 2015, building his wealth primarily through the backing of King- a video game developer best known for Candy Crush Saga. Although it is fair to say that he seems to have gotten himself into a saga of a completely different kind.

Suspicions were raised when Alonso posted a video on Twitter of his home- after there were rumours he had insufficient funds to purchase the club. This would have been a brilliant comeback, and a perfect opportunity for the 29-year-old Spaniard to gasconade in front of his doubters, had it actually been his house…

Derby’s potential new owner, Erik Alonso, has been asked by the EFL to prove that he has the funds to run a football club.

This morning he tweeted a video of a very fancy house.

Only issue is it looks VERY similar to a very fancy house on Tik Tok. pic.twitter.com/k8J71oWlXf

— The Second Tier (@secondtierpod) May 11, 2021

Internet sleuths were able to find a surprisingly similar video on the social media platform TikTok, instead posted by an estate agent, raising eyebrows over Alonso’s sincerity. The man who described himself as a “Boxing World Champion” has since deleted his Twitter account.

This utterly odd exchange took place on the same day that the EFL confirmed they had grounds to investigate Derby for using the sale of Pride Park and the mishandling of player’s transfer values to cover the club’s debts. If Wayne Rooney’s employers are indeed found guilty, it is highly likely they’ll be hit with a point deduction, and ultimately plunged into a relegation battle from Matchweek 1 this September.

Derby County survived relegation from the EFL Championship on the last day of the season thanks to an 88th minute Cardiff City equaliser over Rotherham last weekend. It has been a torrid and embarrassing year for the Rams, and it’s reasonable to assume that they were looking forward to a fresh start next season, along with a new owner.

Derby County survived relegation on the final day of the Championship season amidst reports of prospective new owner Erik Alonso failing to provide proof of funds. — DERBY, ENGLAND – MAY 08: Derby fans hold a banner outside the stadium prior to the Sky Bet Championship match between Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday at Pride Park Stadium on May 08, 2021 in Derby, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Will Mel Morris still be at Pride Park come September? It is still unknown whether someone else will come in for the Derbyshire outfit, despite interest from Abu Dhabi royals in March. Whatever happens, it is unlikely that Erik Alonso will be purchasing a football club anytime soon…

Main image credits: Embed from Getty Images