Charlton's potential takeover has fallen to pieces after Mehmet Dalman walked away from talks, as per the Evening Standard.
Dalman, an investment banker who is also the current chairman of Cardiff City, was previously the favourite to takeover the club from current owner Roland Duchatelet.
The Evening Standard reported that due to "sheer complexities" involved with the deal, Dalman decided to end the negotiations.
Dutchatelet has apparently raised his asking price for the club to around £50million, due to promotion to the Championship.
Allegedly the presence of former directors, called 'debenture shareholders' - who are owed £7million should reach the Premier League - also put off Dalman. It is believed that these individuals want the debts settled immediately as part of the takeover, with Duchatelet wanting Dalman to pick up the bill.
All hope's not lost for a Charlton takeover, though, with Australian businessmen Andrew Muir and Gerard Murphy leading a consortium which has been repeatedly linked with the club.
The report states that Murphy and Muir came close to agreeing a deal worth around £33million in May, but investors in the consortium couldn't generate the funds before the play off final.
As a result of the promotion, that £33million has been increased, even though a representative told a fan forum that the price tag would not differ depending if they got promoted or not.
Another consortium based in Europe is also allegedly interested.
Charlton have insisted that discussion are ongoing with the new potential buyers.
The Verdict
It's another sucker punch for Charlton, who will want this resolved as quickly as possible.
It must be so frustrating for the fans that the asking price has changed as that looks to have been the stick in the mud.
Charlton need some security fast so they can prepare for the new season.
They've began to make a few signings, but they're still playing catch up for the players they've lost, when they really need to be improving their squad to face the challenge of the Championship.