Mark Catlin says Michael Eisner's Pompey takeover is on course to go through - but he has declined to say when it will be completed.

The CEO says it's business as normal in the meantime and there's no reason for concern at the time the buyout is taking to go ahead.

Catlin told The News: 'It is going as planned and things are progressing. This is very, very normal. Despite the ongoing takeover, things at the club are carrying on as they normally would at this time of year.

‘The situation at present is they are in the process of conducting due diligence. Solicitors from all parties are actively engaging in the completion process, things are proceeding well and we are hoping to complete as soon as possible.

‘I believe when the vote went through all parties were looking at a timeframe of six to eight weeks. But, as everyone knows, when you’re buying a house let alone a business, you can never really put an accurate timescale to these things.

‘I am not going to give a timescale. It’s very difficult for me to do that on something completely out of my hands, I don’t like to do that. When things are within your control I don’t mind putting my head above the parapet and giving a timeframe — but when it is not in your control it is always foolhardy.

‘It would be nice to get it done as soon as possible. However, it is important for both parties that the process is conducted diligently and everyone is happy with the end result.’

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