There is a growing group of investors coming together to buyout the Glazer family from Manchester United.
The Manchester Evening News says a 50-strong group wealthy United fans is rallying under the banner of 'the Red Knights' in a bid to buy the club from the Glazers.
Keith Harris, the chief executive of investment bank Seymour Pierce, has been approached to gather together a consortium with the cash clout to tempt the Reds' American owners to sell.
"Until the individuals want to come forward and go public we cannot name names," said Duncan Drasdo of the Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST). "Things are still developing. It is moving forward, but it does take time to get things together.
"There are 50 heavyweight players who will make up the bulk of the consortium. They are all United fans and all very wealthy. They are from the City of London or businessmen in the North West and Manchester. Until it is all solid and ready to go we cannot name them.
"MUST's role is to support the Red Knights and grow the Trust."
The prosperous investors would provide the bulk of the potential £1bn that is likely to be needed to tempt the Glazers to give up their Old Trafford business.