The International Entertainment Corporation's reported £22million takeover of Sky Bet Championship side Wigan Athletic is believed to be edging closer, according to reports from Sky Sports.

The Latics, who have been owned by Dave Whelan and has family since February 1995, have been in negotiations with the Hong Kong-based company since last year; with an EGM expected to be held in three weeks' time to finalise the deal.

News has now surfaced that the company (IEC) have announced to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that it is recommending the purchase to its shareholders, and their arrival will also mean that former Everton manager Joe Royle will join the club's board of directors.

Royle, who will also be utilised as the IEC's UK representative with his son Darren, is hoped to "enhance the club's chances of promotion", states a letter from the IEC board.

On the pitch, Paul Cook's men are sitting in a comfortable midtable place in 12th position from twelve league outings, and will be looking to bounce back from a 4-0 thrashing from local rivals Preston North End at the weekend.

The Verdict

This seems like it has been going on for ages now, but it looks like the Latics fans won't have to wait much longer.

We've seen the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers be hugely successful after being injected with a colossal amount of money from Asian ownership, and with an experienced head like Joe Royle also on the board, this could be a fantastic move by the club as they embark on a new chapter.