The News of the World says Tom Hicks and George Gillett will share a £50m bonanza when DIC finally completes it's expected takeover.

The Arabs are closing in on the deal which will end the Americans' reign.

Negotiations have reached a key stage, with Gillett now most likely to be first to end his association with the club. Hicks remains the main obstacle as the Arab investment group seek a swift conclusion.

The club is now valued at around £400m, but £350m of this figure forms recently incurred debt.

That means if both Americans were to sell now, they'd share a £50m profit.