Everton appear to be edging closer to a takeover after talks with American investors John Jay Moores and Charles Noell progressed, according to a Press Association Sport report.
Moores, the former owner of baseball's San Diego Padres, and his associate have been in negotiations since December.
The pair have undergone a six-week due diligence period looking at the club's books and speaking to major shareholders chairman Bill Kenwright, Robert Earl and Jon Woods.
Reports suggest the Americans are looking to secure a deal for £200 million in the next few weeks. There has been interest from other parties but none are as far down the line.