According to The Telegraph, former Derby County chairman Andy Appleby has submitted an official offer to buy the club amid the ongoing takeover saga.

The Lowdown: Morgan in negotiations

It was confirmed earlier this week that the initial preferred bidder, Chris Kirchner, had taken the decision to withdraw from the deal as a result of failing to meet a financial deadline set by administrators Quantuma, meaning that the Rams are once again on the hunt to find their new owner.

Since this ordeal, Sky Sports News have revealed that former Wolves owner Steve Morgan has renewed his interest in buying the club and is currently in negotiations with the hierarchy, but it looks as if he'll now face competition as another suitor arrives.

The Latest: Appleby submits takeover bid

In an article published by The Telegraph in the last 48 hours, it’s claimed that Appleby has ‘tabled a bid’ to buy Derby, which is understood to be ‘highly competitive’ and has been ‘submitted’ to Quantuma.

The source further states that the former chairman’s consortium, General Sports Worldwide, have ‘made a renewed move’ to ‘secure’ a takeover, and are ‘rivalling’ Morgan, alongside another potential buyer in Mike Ashley, in the race to save the Midlands outfit from liquidation.

It’s reported that the bid is ‘focusing on the acquisition of the club', and is ‘separate’ to any kind of deal for Pride Park, with discussions with Mel Morris over the stadium ‘ongoing’.

The Verdict: Second time lucky

The 2022/23 League One fixtures are set to be released next week, so Derby are in a race against time to finalise a takeover of the club, with Wayne Rooney still uncertain about what the imminent future of his team holds.

It comes as no surprise to see that Appleby has come back for a second bite at the cherry, having already been close to striking a deal with the Rams back in January, before talks strangely broke down.

The fact that he has come back and wants to have another shot shows that he must be serious about wanting to be the new owner, seven years after his departure in 2015, and so hopefully this positive update will be a sign of things to come for County as they prepare to begin life in the third-tier come the start of August.