Saudi Arabia government official Turki Alalshikh has abandoned his proposed takeover of Derby County. The deal with Alalshikh's Lion Sport looked set to go ahead, having been sanctioned by the English Football League (EFL) and the Independent Football Regulator (IFR). But Derby were told on Monday that Alalshikh no longer wanted to continue with the purchase of what BBC Radio Derby understands would have been a controlling stake.

"For the benefit of any doubt, the club is now off the market," a club statement said. "It will continue to operate under the loyal, committed and unwavering support of Clowes Developments." In a statement on social media, Alalshikh thanked those at Derby County for their involvement but suggested the time it took to be ratified meant he had to withdraw. "We understood that the IFR process takes time and fully respect the importance of that," he posted on X. "But unfortunately with the season already started, it would leave us with no time to prepare the team or the club for the season ahead."

An IFR spokesperson said the assessment was completed in 55 days out of the 90 days allowed by law. The IFR had taken a 'minded-to decision' to approve the bid before the start of the 2026-27 season. The proposed deal had raised concerns among human rights campaigners, including Amnesty International, which said in June that the independent regulator faced a "defining test" over the investment. Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, has been criticised for his role in alleged 'sportswashing'.