DIC have been trying to buy the club for 18 months, having been beaten at the post by Hicks and Gillett just over a year ago.
They seemed to have tied up a deal at the turn of the year when Hicks sent a representative to Dubai for talks, only for him to pull the plug on the possible sale.
Now Gillett, at least, seems to be making a bold statement of intent. It is clear he wants to sell and that DIC want to buy.
Any problem over Hicks's alleged veto of a Gillett sale is likely to be challenged in court before the summer.
Manager Rafael Benitez made it clear that he and his team - plus the fans - will be concentrating on reaching the Moscow final next month and will remain unaffected by what happens in the directors' box tomorrow.
But Gillett is seemingly now playing his hand and making it clear that DIC are his guests and eventual purchasers of his stake.
If Hicks does not attend the game, he will be left in no doubt that Gillett believes he has the whip-hand, and that a deal will have to be brokered sooner rather than later.
