Derby County have been on the hunt for prospective new buyers since being plunged into administration and one name that continues to be linked with a bid for the side is former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley - however, journalist Alan Nixon has claimed that he 'doesn't seem too committed to his interest' at the moment.
Ashley most recently led Newcastle United and although the ownership seemed okay for the club and their fans at first, the relationship between owner and fanbase eventually went sour.
It led to calls from the Toon Army for Ashley to sell the club and the owner has now finally relinquished the reins of the Premier League outfit.
However, since letting go of the top tier side, he has been linked with a move to take over at Pride Park.
The Rams have been in dire straits recently, having been docked points for entering administration. It means that the club are now in the middle of a relegation battle in the Championship and off the field, they currently couldn't bring in any fresh faces in the winter transfer window.
Finding new owners soon would be in the best interests of everyone at Derby - but, as far as the Mike Ashley potential ownership is concerned, he is not 'too committed' to his interest in the side at the moment according to Alan Nixon.
It means that the club may have to look elsewhere in their search for a new owner - and they'll be hopeful of doing it before the turn of the year, as it would allow the Rams to pursue some new recruits in the winter transfer window and take themselves away from the drop zone in the Championship table.
The Verdict
Derby County are a fairly big club, they've been in the Premier League and have challenged at the top end of the second tier table for a while now. For them to now be plunged into a relegation battle - and administration - is a situation that nobody associated with the club would want to be in.
Mike Ashley may not be the answer but the Rams could find a prospective new buyer elsewhere. They might be in some financial turmoil but if someone can come in and turn their off-field problems around, then there is a solid base to work with on the pitch, as Wayne Rooney currently has his side playing some solid football.