Derby County chief executive Stephen Pearce says the collapse of a takeover bid took the "wind out of our sails" but owner David Clowes remains committed to promotion. Clowes, a Derbyshire property developer and lifelong Rams fan, was an hour away from selling the club to Saudi Arabia government official Turki Al-Sheikh in August. The deal, sanctioned by the Independent Football Regulator and the English Football League, fell through unexpectedly.

Pearce told BBC Radio Derby the failure was "completely out of the blue" and left the club in a "holding pattern" during the transfer window. Despite this, Clowes had already funded signings, including Bobby Clark for £6m, Sam Szmodics for £2.7m, and Alex Mowatt for around £600,000, knowing he might not recoup the money.

Pearce praised Clowes, saying, "He could have easily said wait, but he backed it regardless." After the deal failed, Clowes took the club off the market and spent £4m on David Ozoh from Crystal Palace, plus other moves. Asked if promotion aims were stalled, Pearce said, "Not in the slightest," emphasizing the club's desire to progress this season.