London Irish are set to be granted an extra week by the Rugby Football Union to complete a takeover of the club.
Irish’s owners have been in protracted talks with an American consortium over the sale of the Premiership side.
However, a deadline of 30 May had been set by the RFU, otherwise the club risked suspension from the Premiership.
But it is understood another week will be allowed, as long as the current ownership can prove that the players’ salaries are paid on Wednesday.
The RFU’s club finance viability working group will meet later on Tuesday before making a recommendation to the RFU board on Wednesday.
While sources close to the takeover insist a deal is close, there remains concern about proof of funds and the exact identity of the prospective new owners.
Mick Crossan, who took over the club in 2013, met last month’s payroll just as players were preparing to hand in breach of contract notices, which would have allowed them to leave the club in the event their wages went unpaid.
On 15 May, the RFU said the timescale had been set to “avoid a scenario where the club enters insolvency mid-season, with the corresponding and substantial impact that has on players, staff and fans, as well as on the remainder of the league”.
The governing body for rugby in England added: “This deadline was set to give enough time for the buyers to provide the information needed and for the transaction to complete.”
