Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish will discuss his transfer budget with the club's board next week.
But the uncertainty created by Carson Yeung's proposed takeover of the club means he cannot yet be handed a definite sum of money.
However, McLeish has been told that once Yeung's seemingly doomed buyout fails to meet the December 20 deadline, then the board will be free to create a fund to spend on new players.
As things stand, McLeish will get a minimum £3million, a figure largely made up of the compensation package agreed with Wigan when Steve Bruce left the club and generated by the current board.
However, the St Andrew's directors are unable to plan for a period in which Yeung could, technically, still become the new owner.
Brum chairman David Gold said: "Yeung has until the end of next week to complete the takeover and we have our doubts. If it fails, then we can assess the January budget for Alex."
