A local consortium are reported to have submitted an offer to buy cash-strapped Southend.
The Shrimpers face a trip to the High Court on Wednesday, where they could be forced into administration due to a debt of £690,000 to HM Revenue and Customs.
The unnamed consortium is said to have made a formal offer to chairman Ron Martin, who has saved the club from administration on two previous occasions.
Southend are currently 10th in League One, but will be deducted 10 points if they enter administration, which would see them drop into the relegation zone.
