FC 32, which already owns Swiss second tier club AC Bellinzona, also has a share in Italian billionaire Danilo Iervolino’s Serie A side US Salernitana 1919, and is high on a shortlist of would-be buyers.

Partially backed by the investment group Athletic Ventures - an amalgam of over 150 pro athletes across the globe - FC32 plans to build a seven-club portfolio, with the Jets their latest target.

Co-founder Christie Jenkins - a former beach volleyball star turned venture capitalist and motivational speaker - is front and centre of the takeover bid, along with fellow Australian, ex-Nike and adidas executive Paul Francis.

Francis, who is earmarked to take over as chairman if the sale is completed, has already made multiple trips from his Italian-base to the Hunter to outline his vision for the club to officials, with a laser focus on youth development in both the men’s and women’s spheres the overarching imperative.

The other abiding priority is tying down existing talent to long-term deals, with highly rated defender Mark Natta a recent example of a player apparently sold on the vision propagated by Francis and FC32.

Currently propped up by Sydney FC, Western Sydney Wanderers and Western United, the Jets have been on the market for an extended period with many false dawns prior to the emergence of FC32 as a serious bidder.

Whilst a deal is not yet over the line - and there is at least one more interested party - FTBL understands an announcement is close and could come before the end of March.

Initially, Italian entrepeneur Iervolino was thought to be the leading light in the Jets purchase. However, whilst he remains part of the funding model, the proposed deal is being negotiated under the FC32 umbrella.

Expounding on FC 32’s emergence as an aspirational club ownership entity, US-based Jenkins says on her LinkedIn page: “We are a new multi-club football ownership group focused on world class player development for both genders. Stay tuned for more to come.”

Francis, who has a history in sports science, has also previously worked within the Miami Dolphins set up.