The billionaire owners of Premier League side Bournemouth are closing in on a takeover of Exeter Chiefs.
It was revealed last week that an American consortium were on the verge of securing a major stake in the Prem club, with Exeter members set to vote in an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) in May.
It understood the group are Black Knight Football Club, who acquired Bournemouth at the end of 2022 and have stakes in Hibernian and French club FC Lorient as well as owning Auckland FC.
If the deal goes through, Exeter will be latest Prem club to secure major new investment.
Last August energy drinks giant Red Bull bought Newcastle, while Bath have been boosted by businessman James Dyson taking a 50% stake in the Prem champions.
Senior sources in the English game have indicated to the BBC other clubs are also of interest to external investors as the league looks to launch a new era following the decision to ring-fence the top flight and revamp standards on and off the field.
Black Knight board member Ryan Caswell was a guest of Chiefs chairman Tony Rowe at Saturday’s thrilling 35-28 defeat by Northampton.
Rowe, whose businesses have propped up Exeter for the best part of three decades, has been open about his desire to seek fresh investment in the club.
“I’ve effectively run a business for the last 30-odd years for a shareholder who’s got no money,” Rowe told The Guardian, external last week.
“What I’m looking forward to is an investor who’s got some money. That’ll be a massive difference for me.
“I think it will put us in a really good place to take advantage of the future.
“Whether you like it or not professional sport is all about money. We need money to survive.”