The Chronicle understands Royals have been in talks with a number of potential investors over the past months

It is believed an America-based group of businessmen are now poised to make an offer to buy the club.

It is not yet know whether the consortium want to buy the club as a whole, which would see them acquire both Anton Zingarevich's 51% share plus Sir John Madejski's 49% share, or just Zingarevich's share alone.

Zingarevich, through his Gibraltar-based Thames Sports Investment company, bought his 51% share from Madejski for around £20 million in May 2012.

He pledged to buy the remaining stake before September last year, but failed to complete the deal.

It is thought the Russian businessman has been trying to pull out of the Royals ever since and he has not been to a game at Madejski Stadium for more than four months.

Club chairman Madejski recently confirmed that Reading were in talks with fresh investors and he was seen entertaining Middle Eastern delegates from Oman during the 2-1 home defeat by Wigan Athletic on December 21.

Speaking at the time, Madejski confirmed: "We are always looking for new investors, we're making very good progress and we are confident about the future."

Meanwhile, bookmakers this morning slashed the odds on Reading manager Nigel Adkins becoming the new boss at Premier League West Bromwich Albion from 100-1 to 5-1.