Chris Kirchner’s potential Preston North End takeover may be over, but the fallout from the situation certainly isn’t ending.
American businessman Kirchner targeted a takeover of Preston having pulled out of the race for Derby County back in December.
After lodging an acceptable takeover bid in February, Kirchner reduced his offer twice according to the Lancashire Evening Post.
Kirchner’s period of exclusivity ended on April 1st, when North End announced that all takeover talks had been shelved.
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Just days later, it emerged that Kirchner had turned his attention back to Derby and is now expected to complete his takeover of the Rams.
That hasn’t been the end of the Preston saga though as more and more reports have emerged about Kirchner and North End.
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire suggested that Preston were concerned about Kirchner’s finances – something echoed by the Daily Mail.
Kirchner hit back this weekend by taking to Twitter to suggest that Preston hiked up their asking price during negotiations, rather than him offering reduced deals.
Preston have now issued a strongly-worded statement completely denying Kirchner’s claims.
“When we were approached in February 2022 regarding the potential sale of the Club a number of valuations were put to us by one party culminating in an offer which was confirmed as acceptable.”
“This was just the start of a process that could have led to a successful takeover. Various other elements that would have been required were not completed by the bidder within the agreed timescale.”
“The most important point to make absolutely clear is that contrary to suggestions in the public domain we at no time increased the asking price from the price and terms included in the originally agreed offer.”
Preston are adamant there was no change in the asking price at any point in negotiations, and even if they can’t name Kirchner, it’s clearly a response to the American.