Ten expressions of interest have been received from potential buyers for Wigan Athletic after the Championship club fell into administration on Tuesday.
The 2013 FA Cup winners were the first professional club in England to fall into administration during the Covid-19 crisis, and face a 12-point deduction if they finish outside of the relegation places.
But administrators on Wednesday said there was cause for some optimism, and there had been significant levels of interest from potential buyers since Tuesday’s news.
Administrator Gerald Krasner of Begbies Traynor told BBC Breakfast: “I am pleased to say that since yesterday I have had 10 different people email me asking for non-disclosure agreements which shows there is interest out there to acquire the club but the proof of the pudding is when it comes to writing the cheque.
“We don’t have an exact figure (of the money needed) but what I can tell you is we will cover the costs of getting through the matches and making sure they are played because unless we finish the season there is no hope of saving this club.
“We are doing our very best. I have been involved with clubs before and we have never lost one.
“I would say to the fans to keep faith, we are doing our best to make sure you have got a club to watch next season.”
The Latics, who competed in the Premier League between 2005 and 2013, are currently 14th in the EFL Championship.
Former owner Dave Whelan sold the club to Hong Kong-based International Entertainment Corporation in 2018, but said on Tuesday he would “help in any way, shape or form”, adding: “We came from the fourth division into the Premier League we won the cup and when I sold the club it was in a good condition.”
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When asked on the possibility of Wigan going out of business, Whelan told talkSPORT: “I’m going to have to look to made sure that doesn’t happen. The town of Wigan cannot let that happen.”
Mr Krasner added: “I shall be contacting Mr Whelan as soon as possible to see what we can do together and I would ask anyone who wants to help on this to to contact me as soon as possible.”