Former Real Madrid star and Wales captain Gareth Bale is involved in a consortium seeking to buy Plymouth Argyle.
The US-based consortium is now in talks with Plymouth about a takeover of the League One club.
Plymouth owner Simon Hallett has been discussing sale plans for several months.
BBC Sport says talks between Hallett and the private-equity firm are at an early stage.
Plymouth were relegated to League One last season and have just named Tom Cleverley as new manager.