Hearts have rejected a takeover approach from Foster Gillett, the son of former Liverpool owner George Gillett - but the Colorado businessman insists no formal offer has been made.
Gillett contacted Hearts owner Ann Budge through a third party last week with a view to buying a controlling interest in the club, and a source and advisor close to him confirmed that an email was sent on his behalf.
Budge has committed to handing control of Hearts over to the club's supporters' group - the Foundation of Hearts - and has said previously she would not entertain takeover approaches of any kind.
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But Gillett, who was on the board at Liverpool when his father controlled the club alongside Tom Hicks from 2007-2010, insists Hearts have not yet responded to his enquiry.
"To date, there has been no response from the club board or from the Foundation of Hearts," he said.
"No formal offer has been made. I would welcome the opportunity to engage with the Foundation of Hearts to explore a potential investment.
"I am looking to acquire a football club with ambitions and I'm looking to invest significantly."
Gillett is one of a number of parties in recent times to contact Hearts about potentially buying a stake in the club.
As it stands, Hearts have been relegated from the Scottish Premiership and are calling for temporary changes to the Scottish league structure to prevent them spending next season outside the top flight.
Hearts propose 'three enlarged divisions'
Hearts have submitted proposals for a temporary restructure of the Scottish leagues into 'three enlarged divisions' of 14 clubs each.
Hearts have circulated the proposals to their fellow clubs and they will be considered at divisional meetings next week.
Following an SPFL board meeting on Wednesday, a league spokesman said: "The board has now received Ann Budge's paper to clubs on the topic of league reconstruction.
"As these matters are ultimately decided by clubs via a democratic process, we will now facilitate a series of divisional meetings, starting with the Premiership on Monday, at which all 42 clubs will have the chance to discuss the proposals in detail."