West Bromwich Albion chairman Jeremy Peace won't allow sale talks to drag on through the summer.
BBC Sport says Peace will only sell the club if a deal can be done early in the summer - otherwise any talks will be put on hold for at least another year.
Groups from China and the USA are believed to be interested in buying the club, with Peace asking for £150m.
Peace is keen that the process does not drag on, so that the club can plan properly in the summer transfer window.