Everton supporters really did not want to hear this story at the end of last week and it has put their club back in a hugely difficult position with a fourth potential takeover having collapsed in the last two years.
Dan Friedkin's Group and their attempt to complete that elusive takeover, had seemed the most likely to succeed, and finally end the tremendous uncertainty and instability that has surrounded the Blues for so long.
Finally perhaps, Evertonians could begin to hope that at last they were going to get an owner who could end that chaos and stabalise the club.
However, now that The Friedkin Group has pulled the plug - due to concerns about the loans from the previous group attempting a takeover 777 Partners which the Toffees have taken on - we are back to square one.
Initial thoughts were no doubt for many despair at yet another setback for the Blues after so many problems have bedeviled this club for such a long time.
Despite that, Everton have to find a way to carry on with their summer transfer plans with plenty of work having gone on to ensure there is enough room for manager Sean Dyche and Kevin Thelwell to move in the market whether or not a new owner came in.
As a result, the Toffees have once more reiterated that they will not be letting Jarrad Branthwaite leave this summer on the cheap, as Manchester United continue to be strongly linked with the player.
Amadou Onana is it seems on the verge of his mooted move to Aston Villa and that deal will raise around £50 million.
Meanwhile, Dominic Calvert-Lewin also appears almost certain to leave Goodison Park with Newcastle having previously looked his most likely destination.
With an injury now to Callum Wilson, the Magpies might well revive their earlier interest in the former England international centre-forward. He could fetch upwards of £25 million.
Such revenue - together with the loans already provided by The Freidkin Group and TV and Premier League monies as well as previous sales of Lewis Dobbin and Ben Godfrey - will help to ensure continued financial stability, at least for the short-term we hope.
Alongside all those possible sales and regardless of the wider situation, Everton will apparently continue to be active in seeking new additions to the squad.
Two names that are constantly surfacing are Jesper Lindstrom and Kalvin Phillips. According to reports again today the Blues are keen on bringing both players to Merseyside, probably on loan.
Other parties are again said to be interested in taking over the Toffees, but after what has happened with the Americans, it will be difficult to see anyone else making more progress quickly unless something significant changes to overcome the problems which saw them pull out.
While it is reassuring to an extent at least that the club seem secure enough to make such moves, we all have to hope a new possible owner can come forward soon, and one who can at last buck this depressing trend and complete the process successfully.