A consortium headed by Sunderland fans which is trying to buy the club is being backed in significant part by cash from the United States.
A report emerged on Monday claiming that television executives Leo Pearlman, Gabe Turner and Ben Turner - owners of Fulwell 73 Productions - are hoping to challenge a German consortium to buy out current owner Ellis Short.
However, it is understood that much of the group's funding would come from America.
The consortium, which reportedly includes former Arsenal defender Tony Adams and one-time Chelsea business affairs director Paul Smith, is understood to have opened initial discussions with Short, who appears to be ready to do business after a bruising spell at the Stadium of Light.