He is believed to have assured Amanda Staveley, DIC's chief negotiator in the UK, that he will be prepared to talk business at the same time as Liverpool will be in Italy preparing for their Champions League showdown with Inter Milan.

By the time Liverpool return from the San Siro, the future ownership of the club could be known - and a DIC source said: "We are in the end zone."

DIC is the financial arm of Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Staveley reports directly to him and chief executive Sameer Al Ansari - a lifelong Liverpool fan who has been the driving force behind two attempts to buy the club.

DIC have been encouraged today by claims that Hicks has agreed not to block the sale of his co-owner George Gillett's 50% holding.

Hicks has also intimated he is still not prepared to sell any of his stake - but DIC appear prepared to go with that suggestion, for now at least.

The source said: "To accommodate a deal, DIC, within reason, would accept certain agreements.

"It looks as if we are in the home straight. A deal involving both parties could be imminent."

After a week of constant cross-Atlantic negotiations through Staveley, lawyers and accountants, DIC are confident they will eventually control Liverpool.

It is also believed that Gillett, who has wanted out for some time, is not willing to sell a small percentage of his stake to Hicks.

DIC dispatched a representative to Anfield last night to watch the Barclays Premier League match against West Ham from the Kop - where he was able to judge the mood of fans and hold general discussions with members of the 'Spirit of Shankly' group who have been campaigning for the end of the Americans' rule at Anfield.

Fans chanted against the Americans before the game and at half-time, but not during the match or at the end.