West Ham United have received encouraging news in their search for a buyer.
The News of the World says club chiefs this week signed a non-disclosure agreement with the Intermarket Group.
West Ham have been convinced the consortium have the funds to make a realistic offer in the region of £100m.
Intermarket Group, led by Wall Street mogul Jim Bowe have now entered into the first stage of due diligence and will decide in a fortnight whether to make a firm bid for the Hammers.