Former Port Vale owner Norman Smurthwaite has reportedly tabled an offer for Notts County.
Smurthwaite was understood to have been interested for a number of weeks, but with the prospect of administration an increasingly realistic prospect, he has now lodged a bid, according to the Mirror.
Notts are back in court on July 10 after being hit with a winding up petition over a £250,000 tax bill, which has reportedly increased to £800,000 in total.
If a takeover is not completed before the court hearing then administration, or even liquidation, is a distinct possiblilty.
A South African consortium have agreed a price with owner Alan Hardy and completed due diligence, but a deal is yet to be concluded.
They appeared to be the club's best hope after another group was revealed to be being advised by a convicted conman.
Alex May, who is working for lawyer Colin Dodd's group, went by the name of Alick Kapikany, when he was jailed for six years in 2014 for conning elderly people out of £3.5m.
Smurthwaite watched several Notts games at the end of last season, but insisted he was not interested in buying the club.
He sold Vale last month for a reported £5m, but was not popular among supporters and would likely have work to do to win over Magpies fans, even if he saved the club.
