Dejphon Chansiri apologises and addresses speculation about potential sale for Sheffield Wednesday

Chairman Dejphon Chansiri apologises amid fans frustrations and addresses speculation about potential sale for Sheffield Wednesday.

He talks about the American consortium, clarifying inaccuracies in reported bid figures, saying fans shouldn’t believe everything they read on social media.

The first offer was $40m (not $65m) and the second was £40m (not $75m), both with limited future payments tied to Premier League promotion.

After declining both offers, the chairman attempted to negotiate but required a £5m deposit to proceed, which the consortium failed to provide despite assurances.

A planned Zoom meeting with the consortium also fell through when they did not attend.

The chairman expresses doubts about the consortium’s reliability and emphasizes his responsibility to sell to credible buyers who can sustain and advance the club.

While acknowledging fans’ frustrations and his own challenges in meeting current obligations, he remains open to selling but insists the deal must be right, and he is actively seeking new investment to resolve the situation.

Club update from the chairman#swfc

— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc) June 26, 2025

STATEMENT:

Given the ongoing speculation regarding the potential sale of Sheffield Wednesday, the chairman would like to provide clarity on the situation of the American consortium linked with buying the club.

You will be aware that an initial offer from the consortium based in Florida, together with one member from the UK, was declined.

A second offer was made which was also declined – however I was willing to negotiate to accelerate the process and despite my best intentions to conclude a deal, it has been unable to move forward at this moment for reasons I will explain.

A USA representative of the consortium gave a media interview earlier this month and since then, incorrect figures were reported at the recent fans forum and in a separate media interview from the UK member of the consortium.

I would like to clarify the inaccuracies about these bids. To avoid any misunderstanding, the first offer was submitted in US dollars and the second in UK pounds. The first offer was $40m plus limited future payments based upon promotion to the Premier League – not $65m as was said at the forum. The second offer was £40m plus limited future Premier League promotion payments – far from a guaranteed $75m which was reported in the second media interview.

I had been contacted previously on a regular basis by another person who was supposedly representing the consortium and who was to trying negotiate after the first two offers were declined. I said this must go through the club but when there was a danger I could not resolve the payroll situation, I said okay, if they have serious intentions and wish to work in a professional way, please pass on to the UK member of the consortium who you are in contact with that I will listen further and I am prepared to negotiate.

The last thing I wanted to do was cause issues for our people so I said I was happy to talk with the condition of a deposit of £5m as a downpayment for the club in advance because I was yet to see any proof of funds.

The supposed representative said the consortium wished to speak to me directly in Thailand so I said fine, if the deposit was made in advance. I was told that one member of the consortium had agreed to this but then I was informed that there was a disagreement with other members and they would not pay a deposit unless I agreed an overall price for the club in advance of the meeting in Thailand. I would not normally agree to such a proposal without negotiating face to face, but because I did not wish to let anyone down, I wanted to finish, I agreed and the price was agreed. In return, a period of exclusivity would be given. I also said if you cannot pay the full deposit now, pay 50% and the balance later. This would be returned if a deal could not be reached.

I was told they agreed to transfer the deposit immediately to help meet payroll and avoid EFL charges and sanctions. One member of the consortium banks in the UK, it is a straightforward transaction, but despite assurances, the money did not arrive. The following week, I was told the money would have to be transferred from overseas. Despite this, still no money arrived.

After this, the UK representative of the consortium pushed for a further meeting which I declined but he persisted in pushing to meet so I reluctantly agreed due to my desire to accelerate the process even though I had reservations. A date was set for a Zoom meeting but unfortunately, after a waiting time of 45 minutes, they did not attend.

I can assure everyone that I did everything possible to try and complete a deal but I was left to think, if this is how the consortium are at this stage, how can I be sure they are the right people to look after the club? I take full responsibility for being unable to fulfil my current obligations, but a further obligation I have is to ensure that if the club is sold, it is sold to the right people with the right credentials who can sustain Sheffield Wednesday and take the club forward.

I understand our fans are not happy and wish for me to sell, which some have said when contacting me direct. All I ask is please do not believe everything you read in the media or on social media. I repeat that I am willing to sell but the deal must be correct on all fronts – it is not just about the price. I have been seriously engaging in looking for investment from new parties, and continue to do so to quickly remedy this situation.

I also understand the frustrations of everyone at this difficult time. I can only apologise to our people once again and assure you all that I am doing everything I can, every minute of every day, to ensure the situation is resolved in the best possible way for now and the future.

SEE MORE: Fans react as an update emerges on Danny Rohl’s future at Sheffield Wednesday

Potential Sheffield Wednesday owner explains vision, and club being ‘way bigger than Wrexham’

Here’s how fans reacted as Dejphon Chansiri apologises and addresses speculation about potential sale for Sheffield Wednesday…

@TWWcast: Amid ongoing rumours about a potential sale of Sheffield Wednesday, Dejphon Chansiri has issued a detailed update on recent talks with the American consortium linked with buying the club. He clarifies:
• Two offers were made and declined
• Reported figures in media and fan forums were inaccurate
• A £5m deposit was requested to progress talks — which never arrived
• A Zoom meeting was missed by the consortium
• Talks have now stalled
Chansiri says he remains open to selling to the right people with the right credentials and continues actively seeking investment.

@tommyuto: Must admit, this is Adam Shaw’s fault for going public. If you ignore Chansiri’s babbling this seems a fairly honest piece to me. The important thing is is that he is willing to sell.

@aroundgroundsss: What a mess this situation is. No end in sight, no plans for the season. Worrying times at Hillsborough #swfc

@MattHall1974: Not in the slightest bit surprised by this. Some are all skirt and no knickers. But now the grown ups know the price he was willing to accept. DC just needs to be professional now and get it done. #swfc 🤞🏻

@AndyF1867: So if someone is properly intent on purchasing us – it appears he is willing to play ball. Mess about and nothing will happen. Over to you Yanks #swfc

@IngloriousTward: Some interesting points. Mostly screams of the usual “Its not my fault” bollocks though I will say this hasn’t really been helped by Adam Shaw and his merry men going as public as they did. Even if fans were screaming for it, not the best move. #swfc

@LoveRocket84: Right, so it’s the Consortium’s fault, even though you tried to charge them to talk to you. You’re actually surprised they wanted a direct face-to-face meeting about a multi-million pound takeover. So we’re nowhere near a sale. You’re the problem. You’re the blocker. #swfc

@Gingeee_SWFC: Spouts all that why doesn’t he officially put the club up for sale then rather then say I’m willing to sell but the buyer must trust I will give them a deposit back if sale breaks down! Hold on you can’t pay fucking players never mind a deposit back to people

@J_swfc1867: Good statement that from him. People don’t like him and rightly so but fair play to him #swfc

@bg_swfc: Just me that thinks this is a decent and well wrote statement? Makes you hopeful a deal can be sorted soon to sell the club as long as it’s to the right person with proof of funds 🤞🏼 #SWFC

@KBartholomew93: Another typical Deji statement, not my fault, I have best intentions so please feel sorry for me. Wanted £5m upfront just to sit down and negotiate a price, with an agreement to pay it back if a price can’t be agreed.. he can’t pay the current bills no one’s laying him £5m on 😂

@JerryThe_Berry: Whether he’s talking shit or not, at least he’s communicating 🤷🏻‍♂️ speaking from experience, to have an owner willing to go public with his thoughts, bullshit or not, is better than silence #swfc #chansiri #chansiriout

@nathanswfc04_2: struggling to see how this is him “taking responsibility”. he’s just doing what he usually does, deflecting the blame onto someone else to help himself and the usual crowd are lapping it up. also, he’s demanded £5m just to talk about selling. massive fucking child