Port Vale owner Norman Smurthwaite is close to selling up and is now considering buying League Two crisis club Notts County.
Smurthwaite helped save Vale in 2012 from administration but has been looking to get out since 2016.
Mirror Sport understands Smurthwaite is finally set to go after a lining up a deal to sell to Carol and Kevin Shanahan, who own Stoke-on-Trent-based IT company Synectics Solutions.
A deal worth up to £4million is due to be completed soon after Vale secured their League Two status.
Smurthwaite had threatened that if the club was not sold by the end of next week, he will put the Valiants into administration after falling out with fans.
But he is keen to stay in football and is eyeing fellow League Two outfit County instead.
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County are bottom with two games left to save themselves against Grimsby and Swindon.
Embattled Magpies owner Alan Hardy is desperate to sell up after his interior design company Paragon Interiors went into administration in February
A source told Mirror Sport: "Alan has four interested parties and Smurthwaite's bid currently looks the most attractive."
Smurthwaite has even been seen at several recent County matches.
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He is due to be in the crowd again for the visit of Grimsby on Saturday.
But Smurthwaite insists his recent appearances at Notts are a result of him being unable to watch Vale games because of security issues arising from angry fans.
“I live close to the club and have been watching some games because it was felt I shouldn’t go to home games at Port Vale because it gives them a security headache,” said Smurthwaite.
“I will be there again this Saturday watching a game of football.”
