Sunderland have held talks with Niall Quinn and his consortium in Dublin as moves to sell the club gather pace.
Chairman Bob Murray, vice chairman John Fickling, chief executive Peter Walker and director of marketing and communications Lesley Callaghan flew to Dublin yesterday for further discussions with Quinn and his partners.
The talks, which were held in private, took place at the Great Southern Hotel at Dublin Airport.
British Stock Exchange rules mean the club cannot comment on the progress or otherwise of the consortium's bid to buy out majority shareholder Murray, although it is understood the tone of latest meeting was positive.
A spokesman said: "I can confirm discussions between the board and Niall Quinn are ongoing, but because of the take-over code we are unable to comment further."
However, news the parties are talking will come as encouraging news to fans awaiting developments in a saga which has been ongoing for several months.
Murray has indicated his willingness to pass on control of the club after almost 20 years at the helm and welcomed Quinn as a guest of honour at the Premiership clash with Arsenal at the Stadium of Light last month.
The Irish-based consortium has been involved in the process of due diligence for several weeks, a necessary precursor to making an offer.
Should that happen and Murray accept, they would then have to make the same offer to the rest of the club's shareholders and the total could amount to £16million.
However, the remaining shareholders would have 21 days during which to make a decision, and with pre-season training due to begin on June 26 with no manager yet in place, time is of the essence.
Kevin Ball took charge for the final 10 games of last season and freely admits he would like the job on a permanent basis. But Quinn is rumoured to want to bring in a big name, with Martin O'Neill the man at the top of the fans' wish-list.
Gareth Southgate's appointment as Middlesbrough boss today saw a third position with which he had been linked this summer - after England and Newcastle - filled while the Irishman remains on the market.
