A US family have made a formal offer to buy Championship strugglers Derby County.
The Rams, managed by Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney, are currently in administration and are at risk of being liquidated.
Derby have already been deducted 21 points this season as a result of their financial woes and are in desperate need of a new owner.
The Binnies, a family based in New England, have submitted a £28million bid to buy the cash-strapped club. The bid does not include Derby's Pride Park stadium.
The wealthy family are the founders of investment company Carlisle Capital, which has been an investor in more than 15 counties.
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The bid is being led by the company's vice president Adam Binnie, as reported by BBC Sport.
Administrators had planned to name a preferred bidder earlier this month, with three parties believed to be interested.
One of those parties is former Newcastle owner Mike Ashley, who is reportedly poised to make a £50m bid.
A consortium led by former Derby chairman Andy Appleby is another interested party, while US businessman Chris Kirchner withdrew a bid shortly before Christmas.
Derby's search for a new owner has been delayed by the EFL's demand for proof of how the club will be funded for the rest of the season.
The club are currently dealing with compensation claims by rivals Middlesbrough and Wycombe Wanderers.
Middlesbrough missed out on a play-off position in 2018-19 and Wycombe suffered relegation last term, both as a result of Derby's success.
The Rams are alleged to have broken financial rules during both seasons.
Derby's new owner would have to clean up the club's financial mess and the two ongoing lawsuits.
"Derby County is much more than just a football club," said Rooney last week, urging potential new owners to invest.
"It gives everyone in the city hope, it gives kids a dream of playing for their club. It helps numerous charities around the city.
"Let's hope we get the help we need or this will be a massive loss to Derby."
Derby's most recent owner Mel Morris, who still owns the club's stadium, apologised to the fans after entering administration in September.
"It's tragic, there's no question," Morris - who claims to have lost in excess of £200m after investing in the club - told BBC Radio Derby.
"I can only apologise to the people there. Am I disappointed? Yes. Am I sorry to the fans? Yes. I desperately wanted to get this club right up there if we could do that.
"From my perspective, I've put a lot of blood, sweat and tears - and a heck of a lot of money - into this club and it's had some really good times under my tenure, but ultimately I've failed."
Morris added: "We've got people interested in the club at this moment in time and my focus today, tomorrow - regardless of administration - is exactly the same.
"I want to find the best purchaser I can for this club and that continues. Hopefully, on the back of that, we preserve as many jobs as we possibly can."
