Derby County are reportedly close to agreeing a £30m loan as they look for the best way to survive the coronavirus suspension.
The Daily Mail report that Bristol City's Championship rivals are in talks with MSD Capital, a US investment company owned by technology billionaire Michael Dell.
Rather than this being an investment into the club, the deal is thought to be a commercial loan with strict repayment terms.
The Rams have taken this step following a tumultuous year which saw the club charged by the EFL in January for breaching spending rules following the controversial sale of Pride Park to owner Mel Morris.
Morris had been looking for outside investment into the club, but a deal with Swiss-Turkish businessman Henry Gabay fell through following the charge, which could well see the Rams docked points.
The club are now looking for ways to maintain cashflow, with a lack of football meaning income through gate receipts has been lost.
Morris is said to be the guarantor of the loan, which will be paid back at commercial rates - showing the lengths they are willing to go to in order to bring money into the club.
Leeds United and Birmingham City have already asked their players to take a pay cut in order to see them through the coronavirus suspension, and the report says Derby have held similar talks with their players.
The Rams will be able to pay their players this month but, with no incoming revenue, have not ruled out asking players to defer wages in the near future.
Derby have already paid players late once this season.
