be bought out by a consortium of Icelandic businessmen.

According to reports in the Icelandic media, the businessmen, led by former Iceland captain Asgeir Sigurvinsson, are in talks about buying a majority stake in the Second Division club.

The businessmen are working closely with the Kaupthing Investment Bank. The bank's chief executive Sigurdur Einarsson confirmed there had been negotiations but declined to name buyers or give further details.

"It is by no means a done deal, but I expect negotiations to come to a closure later this week,'' Einarsson said.

Icelandic daily DV said Kaupthing was negotiating on behalf of the businessmen to buy 51 percent of Stoke City. The newspaper claimed the group's plan was to make Gudjon Thordarson, coach of the Iceland team, the next manager of Stoke.

Iceland's Channel Two television said the bid would include 6 million for investing in players and a fund for repaying the club's debts.

The injection of extra cash could work in Lightbourne's favour as the striker has been on the transfer list all season, partly because the club needs to cash in assets to pay off debts.