BANGOR City Football Club looks set to fall into new hands as talks to sell the club are reportedly at an “advanced stage”.

The Chronicle understands that an unnamed Italian is in the final stages of purchasing the club from Vaughan Sports Management, who have endured a turbulent spell at the Citizens’ since taking over in June 2016.

This has seen them fall from JD Cymru Premier runners-up to facing the prospect of third tier football, with the arbitration hearing decision expected to be announced this evening (Friday) or over the weekend.

The new owner will also keep Stephen Vaughan Jr at the club in the position of manager once the takeover is formally completed, according to a source close to the discussions.

City have acquired a number of young Italian players throughout the summer to strengthen their squad, and director of football Max Leghissa also hails from the same country as the prospective new owner.

It is not yet known when a formal announcement regarding the official sale of the club, but the move would represent something that the majority of the Citizens’ fa base have been wanting since VSM initially took over.

Some are now past the point of no return having set up the fan-owned Bangor 1876, who have set the North Wales football scene alight over the summer with the appointment of manager Mel Jones, high-profile signings such as Les Davies and a series of impressive pre-season wins.