Manchester United fans and the rest of the footballing world are eagerly waiting to see who throws their hat into the ring tonight to buy the club.
The deadline for parties to register their interest is 10pm, but news on any deal could still be months away.
There has only been one public declaration so far - from businessman Sir Jim Ratcliffe, one of Britain's richest men.
But the BBC says that, after days of rumours, it is expected there will be a bid from Qatar.
There is also expected to be at least two offers from the US and there have been suggestions of interest from Saudi Arabia.
Despite talk that United has not attracted the interest expected by owner the Glazers, insiders have said the process has proceeded positively.
Strategic alternatives
As they stated in their announcement on a potential sale in November, the family are still considering "all strategic alternatives" for the club, which could include new investment or other transactions involving the company.
US-based Raine Group is in charge of finding new owners or investors.
United fan Ratcliffe, one of Britain's richest people, is said to be determined in his interest and is understood to have employed the services of banking giants JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs to help him.
As with Chelsea, US interest is set to be backed by private equity.
Bids from Qatar and Saudi Arabia are complicated due to ownership of Paris St-Germain and Newcastle respectively.
Paris St-Germain president Nasser al-Khelaifi is set to be a key figure in any Qatari ownership bid, even if he could have no direct involvement in the club.
Smaller stake
Qatar Sports Investment (QSI), headed by Al-Khelaifi, had been looking at the potential for taking a smaller stake in a Premier League club, which would be allowed under Uefa rules that prevent multi-club ownership. QSI already has a minority stake in Portuguese side Braga.
However, given QSI's ownership of PSG, which it has no interest in selling, any Qatari move to buy United in its entirety would have to come through private individuals or a different organisation.
This could potentially be the Qatar Investment Authority - a global investment platform that includes London department store Harrods and the UK's largest building the Shard in its portfolio.
Even that may require European governing body Uefa to change its rules on dual ownership, given it is felt by many that all Qatari funds are distributed from a central source.
Neither the Raine Group nor Manchester United are likely to make a formal statement once tonight's deadline is passed.
It will be for the Glazer family to decide whether to proceed with a full sale.
Co-chairmen Joel and Avi Glazer have always been viewed as the members of the family most interested in retaining some interest.
The BBC says the initial aim had been to conclude a deal by the end of March, but confidence has been strong from the outset that it would certainly be done by the end of the season.