Sheffield United’s American owners made a shock inquiry in the sale of stricken city rivals Sheffield Wednesday.
It is understood that representatives for COH Sports were among 80 parties to make initial calls to Wednesday’s administrators over the past month or so.
Telegraph Sport learnt of the approach after reports elsewhere that one interested party had suggested an extraordinary merger between the two rival clubs.
Details of what was being proposed by the party claiming to represent COH Sports are unclear, but the prospect of bitter rival clubs belonging to the same stable and competing in the same competition can be all but ruled out. Dealmaking sources have subsequently played down the likelihood of any further inquiries from COH.
Other potential suitors monitoring a sale likely to exceed £40m include the former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley. Neither he nor COH are among the handful of suitors to make formal offers yet, however.
As previously reported by Telegraph Sport, US-based billionaire investor John McEvoy is among leading candidates. McEvoy’s wide-ranging portfolio includes a minority stake in talent management giant Various Artists, which counts Sheffield band Reverend and the Makers in its stable.
An approach by COH Sports will be controversial with United fans celebrating the club’s 3-0 derby win at the weekend. Despite the derby win, United remain in the bottom three with Wednesday and the club’s ownership is starting to face scrutiny after a sharp downturn in fortunes following last season’s Championship play-off final defeat.
COH, led by businessmen Steven Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy, have only been officially in control at Bramall Lane since December last year. They have 100 per cent ownership at United, having ended Saudi Arabian Prince Abdullah Bin Mosaad Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s five-year spell as sole owner. Rosen is the founder and chairman of Resilience Capital Partners, while Eltoukhy chairs biotech company Guardant Health.
There has been no shortage of interest in Wednesday despite the Championship’s bottom club triggering a 12-point deduction – with potential more sanctions to come – after being put into administration in October. The English Football League is now investigating further alleged breaches of its financial regulations and has not ruled out docking points again this season.
COH and Sheffield United have been approached for comment. Wednesday’s administrators Begbies Traynor declined to respond.
