Moroccan billionaire emerges as Sheffield Wednesday takeover contender | OneFootball

Sheffield Wednesday may have found their possible new owner.

Moroccan business mogul Anis Sefrioui is looking to buy an English football club, and Sheffield Wednesday have been identified as a possible candidate.

That's according to a report from journalist Alan Nixon reporting via Patreon on Easter Sunday.

The report lands during a period of growing uncertainty at Wednesday, where current owner Dejphon Chansiri continues to face mounting criticism from supporters over financial mismanagement, communication issues, and the club’s on-pitch struggles.

The Thai businessman - who has owned the club since 2015 - has previously stated he would consider selling for the right price to the right person, but has stopped short of admitting he is actively trying to offload the Owls.

Anas Sefrioui: The Moroccan businessman setting his sights on Sheffield Wednesday

Writing in The Sun newspaper (20th April 2024) and his Patreon newsletter, Nixon has shared that Moroccan billionaire Anas Sefriouri is interested in buying an English football club, with Sheffield Wednesday of highest interest.

Sefrioui, 67, is one of Africa’s richest men, having accumulated his wealth through property development.

Nixon reports that Sefrioui has hired a legal firm to examine his options for buying a football club, with special attention being paid to the South Yorkshire side.

The self-made billionaire has a reported net worth of $1.6 billion, having begun his career developing affordable housing in his native Morocco. Forbes further reports that Sefrioui is the 14th-richest man in Africa.

The news follows a report from The Sheffield Star that three parties - two from the US, and one from England - were also interested in purchasing the Championship club.

A glimmer of hope for Sheffield Wednesday fans amid takeover talk

The potential takeover news comes at the end of a turbulent season under Dejphon Chansiri - one defined by unpaid HMRC bills, chaotic public statements, and the deeply concerning failure to pay staff and player wages.

Morale has dropped both on and off the pitch, and the protests from Wednesdayites have grown louder and more unified.

And yet, even in the gloom, Sheffield Wednesday remain a beacon of potential. With Premier League infrastructure, a loyal and passionate fanbase, and the heritage to match any club in the country, it’s little wonder that interested parties are beginning to circle.

For the right buyer, this isn’t just a financial opportunity - it’s a chance to revive a sleeping giant.

As manager Danny Röhl’s future remains uncertain, and the dust settles on a disheartening campaign, attention now turns off the pitch.

Ownership speculation will define the Owls' summer, and for supporters, there’s cautious hope that this time, the rumours might just lead somewhere.