Representatives of the American group that wants to take over Everton are due to meet Premier League executives in person this week.
This will happen during the sixth month of waiting for a regulatory decision on the deal. The club and its potential buyers, 777 Partners, had initially hoped the deal would be completed before the end of 2023.
The protracted wait for a decision has only added to concerns about the group and its viability as a Premier League club owner.
777 are confident that the Group has already provided adequate answers to the test of the Premier League owners and directors, although the League’s Chief Executive Richard Masters hinted otherwise when questioned by politicians earlier this year.
The group has been a regular presence at Goodison Park since the deal to buy current majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri’s 94.1 per cent stake in the Blues was announced in September. Co-founder Josh Wander was present again on Saturday when Sean Dyche’s team lost to West Ham United.
The face-to-face meeting planned for this week is not expected to result in an immediate decision, but is intended to be an opportunity to explore the issues currently holding up a decision. The company has provided financial support to the club during the process, committing just under £200 million to date.
The Premier League is the last significant hurdle to the bid, which passed the scrutiny of the Financial Conduct Authority before Christmas.