Auckland businessman Paul Davys is offering around $15 million to buy the Warriors, but current owner Eric Watson wants at least $20 million.
And if the two parties can't come to an agreement by the end of the week, the deal could be dead in the water.
Davys has given Watson a deadline of Friday but a deal is still some way off, while Watson is also in discussions with at least two other parties keen on buying the club.
The
Herald understands Davys is offering around $15 million to purchase the Penrose-based franchise, but Watson is holding out for closer to $20 million - and won't be rushed into selling.
As first reported by the
Herald over the weekend, Watson has been in discussions with Davys over the last week as he looks to offload the struggling NRL club from his wide-ranging business portfolio.
Meanwhile, the swirling speculation around the future owner of the club is already having a negative impact on plans around player recruitment and sponsorship for next season.
It's unclear whether Davys would want Warriors coach Stephen Kearney to remain in his job and if a potential change in ownership will lead to a dramatic overhaul of the club's wider football staff and executive management team.
Prospective signings and player agents are rightfully seeking clarification on these matters and are in no hurry to commit to any deals while things remain unclear.
Last week the Warriors were on the verge of signing Kiwis captain Adam Blair but discussions have not progressed and the Brisbane Broncos front-rower is still considering his options.
Blair is a close friend of Kearney and their relationship is one of the major reasons the 31-year-old wants to come to Auckland.
With the Newcastle Knights and St George Illawarra Dragons also interested in signing the former Melbourne Storm and Wests Tigers enforcer, the Warriors urgently need clarity around the club's ownership or the deal could fall through.
Canterbury Bulldogs captain James Graham's manager has also made contact with the Warriors, and while the club is yet to begin formal talks with the former England skipper the current situation won't help the negotiation process.
The Warriors also face similar challenges in negotiating with existing sponsors and potential new backers, with some opting to hold off to see what unfolds.
Kearney says he hasn't considered how a change of ownership could affect his future and insists the matter is not a distraction ahead of Friday's clash against the Rabbitohs in Sydney.
"Absolutely not," said Kearney.
"That's not an issue for me. That's just a distraction away from my job. I haven't even thought about that, to be honest, because there hasn't been a change of ownership as yet.
"What I've got control over is that we have training today and we've got a game on Friday so that's all I am focused on."
Meanwhile, Davys has dismissed reports that former Warriors coach and disgraced former Parramatta head of football Daniel Anderson is connected to his bid to buy the club as "absolute rubbish".
Anderson was one of five key Eels officials deregistered by the NRL for their involvement in the salary cap scandal that engulfed the club last year.
The
Herald understands the game's governing body would not approve any new ownership deal if Anderson was involved in the bid.
Davys' co-owns childcare company ChoiceKids with former Kiwis league international and player agent Peter Brown.
Davys has a background in league, having coached both the Howick Hornets and Te Atatu Roosters and previously worked in a recruitment capacity for the Brisbane Broncos.
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