"I have given that option every chance and time is getting on, so my intention now is to make an offer for the club next week."
"The situation at Stoke City is serious. Unless player sales are used to support the cash losses, something will have to give."
Phil Rawlings is one invester that Stoke fans may have expected to see in the picture - but the opportunity falls just at the wrong time for the American based Stokie:
"The decision to sell the club a couple of months ago has come at a bad time for me personally.
"I am currently getting a couple of businesses up and running. I don't, therefore, have the necessary free time or capital to increase my current involvement.
"But I want to stress I have no intention of withdrawing my current support (a 10 per cent stake plus loans) and I would back anyone wanting to take on the task of running our great football club.
"It goes without saying that any takeover is best being completed sooner rather than later for the sake of the club."