Sources close to Greek-American construction magnate Bob Kozonis suggested on Saturday there is an understanding now between the Chicago-based entrepreneur and the major shareholder of AEK, Nikos Notias, with a deal closer than ever between the two sides.

The same sources suggested that accountants from Kozonis are about to start checking AEK’s finances as of Monday, which will be an illustration of a preliminary agreement between Notias and Kozonis for the sale of a majority stake to the latter.

Although AEK would not confirm the progress in negotiations that the Kozonis side claimed, the climate has changed in favour of a deal, which may well be signed at the start of next week in the US.

Yet the fact that the current shareholders issued a statement on Saturday asking fans to end their capture of the club headquarters in Athens for accountants to go in on Monday shows that there is hope for a deal.

Two dozens of hardcore AEK fans have in the last few days taken over the headquarters of the club in Athens, not allowing executives to come in and hanging a banner calling for freedom for AEK.

The fans have set up a coordinating committee that issued a statement of Saturday saying they refuse to leave unless a concrete move is taken to safeguard AEK’s future.

If the agreement is signed, Kozonis will have agreed to cover the increase of the club’s share capital to be completed in January, following approval by the AEK board meeting scheduled for December 30.