Bolton Wanderers owner Ken Anderson has agreed to sell the club amid a winding-up petition.
Fans have been furious that the club has lurched from one financial crisis to another but the future now may be more promising.
A club statement read: 'The Chairman is pleased to announce that an agreement in principle has been reached that will result in Inner Circle Investments selling its total shareholding in Burnden Leisure.
'A period of due diligence has now begun, once this process has been completed and the requirements of the EFL have been satisfied a further announcement will be made to supporters.'
Anderson paid himself £525,000 in consultancy fees in 2016-17 as the club posted £12.9m losses.
A deal for on-loan Forest Green striker Christian Doidge collapsed in January after Bolton were placed under a registration embargo.
Anderson first bought a stake in the club during a takeover in 2016 along with former striker Dean Holdsworth.
Bolton sit 23rd in the Championship and are four points from safety having been beaten 2-1 by Leeds United on Saturday.
