The administrators of Wigan Athletic have set a firm deadline to agree a sale of the football club.
In a statement released today (Thursday), joint administrators Paul Stanley, Gerald Krasner and Dean Watson confirmed they are speaking to four bidders interested in purchasing the Latics.
The club narrowly missed out on survival in the Championship after being hit by a 12-point reduction and will begin a League One campaign on September 12 next year.
As a result, the final date to agree a deal has been set at August 31, just 18 days away.
Announcing their plans, the administrators said: "We are continuing talks with various interested parties and are in discussions with four bidders regarding the sale.
"We have set a deadline of August 31 to agree and sign the sale contract.
"If the contract is not signed by this date we will have to reconsider the position on the basis that the new season starts a week later.
"The reason for this is that we will be responsible for the team at the start of the season and the fulfilment of the fixtures. Understandably, if no buyer is available we do not wish to commit to something we cannot see through.
"We are still hopeful that one of the bidders will be in a position to sign the contract as set out."
The administrators also confirmed the sales of Joe Geldhart to Leeds United and Kieffer Moore to Cardiff City, with further player sales currently being discussed.
All players and staff still with the club have been paid their wages up to July 31, the statement explained, with those that have left the club set to receive wages once the returns from the latest player sales come in.
Finally, the administrators added: "We would like to thank the supporters club for their continued financial support.
"They have today agreed to advance us from their own funds the money to buy next season’s first team strip which will bear the supporters club logo for the beginning of the season."
