Birmingham City are reportedly hoping to bank a windfall from Jack Butland to end their transfer embargo.
The Championship club are unable to sign players having breached Financial Fair Play regulations and face a race against time before the end of the transfer window.
They were hit with a full embargo on July 1, having been under a ‘soft’ embargo since April.
But, with just over a week before the transfer window shuts, Birmingham confirmed on Monday they still cannot sign players.
And the Press Association reports that the club have pinned some of their hopes on Butland leaving Stoke to give them fresh cash and help solve the issue.
The England international has been linked with Chelsea and Birmingham would be due 15 per cent of any profit after selling him for £3.5million in 2013.
But, with time running out, it is looking increasingly likely Butland will stay at the bet365 Stadium.
That could leave boss Garry Monk with no fresh recruits for their Championship season, except for Kristian Pedersen, who remains in limbo after joining from Union Berlin last month.
FIFA’s transfer matching system confirmed Pedersen’s move, but he is reportedly still unable to be registered by the EFL.
A Birmingham statement on Monday said: “Talks between Birmingham City and the EFL remain ongoing in regard profitability and sustainability regulations.
“The club has spent several months working diligently to satisfy the EFL.
“Unfortunately and disappointingly the EFL are currently refusing to allow us to make additions which would enable us to strengthen the manager’s squad.
“We are hopeful that a satisfactory agreement can be reached with the EFL as soon as possible to help ensure our continued competitiveness in the Championship.”