The preferred bidder to buy the Millers could be known by Monday
A billionaire Russian businessman has withdrawn his offer to buy Rotherham, BBC Radio Sheffield understands.
It is believed the decision is due to his failure to agree a deal to lease Millmoor from the Booth family.
The bid was one of five made to buy the club and believed to be one of two shortlisted by administrator Jeremy Bleazard for preferred bidder status.
Bleazard had revealed earlier on Thursday that he hoped to choose his preferred bidder on Monday.
The administrator had been expected to announce his preferred option by Friday, but he has now said he needs more time.
It is currently unclear whether the Russian businessman's decision to pull out is behind the delay.
However, it does suggest the long-term future of the club is still far from clear, with the Booths believed to have also threatened an injunction on any new owner who fails to give them the privileges they currently enjoy with the club.
The Booths' privileges include Ken Booth as honorary president, two directors box tickets to every away game, four tickets to the Millmoor boardroom and car park, 16 seats in the Millmoor End stand which they can sell on, four FA Cup Final tickets at no cost and the use of the club's physio up to three times a week.
Any successful injunction could cause the Millers to go out of business.
But Steve Exley from the Millers Trust is hopeful the situation will be resolved soon.
"I'm hoping the deal with the preferred bidder is very close," he told BBC Radio Sheffield.
"I know that meetings have taken place. Jez Bleazard has been going through the bidders with a fine tooth comb.
"He is the only guy who really knows how close we are to a new owner."
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