West Bromwich Albion chairman Jeremy Peace is hoping to avoid a long-running saga as he continues the process of selling the club.
Groups of potential buyers from Asia as well as the United States have reportedly entered due diligence regarding the purchase of the Baggies and although no action has occurred yet, owner Peace has indicated that the likelihood of the club being sold this summer is high.
"Since announcing in February that I was taking the club to the investment market, I am sure you have read media speculation about interested parties in contact over a possible purchase," he wrote in the matchday program for Monday night's clash with Chelsea.
"That process remains on-going and as of this moment, those parties are conducting due diligence on the club.
"But let me once again stress that I do not intend this to become a long-running saga which could become counter-productive to our preparations for next season.
"Indeed, those preparations are now underway with a progressive dialogue over targets for the summer.
"It is also right to say that, in the discussions that I have conducted with those parties, there is a uniform view about committing to the management model which I believe has served the club so well.
"In short, if there is a change of ownership, the transition should be smooth and devoid of upheaval. Business will continue as normal.
"As things stand, I do not know if this will be my last Hawthorns game as chairman, but I am proud of the fact that when everyone returns next August, Albion will be going into its sixth successive Premier League campaign and the 10th since I became chairman.
"I believe we have made good progress during those years but our beloved old club faces more and even greater challenges in the future."