A consortium featuring former Football League chairman Keith Harris has submitted an offer to buy Portsmouth.
Administrators PFK confirmed the new development a week before a High Court hearing due to determine whether the League One club can be sold to the Portsmouth Supporters' Trust.
The new consortium, comprising Harris, investment banker Pascal Najadi and professional investor Alan Hitchins, says it is willing to offer the PST "a stakeholding and participation" if its bid is successful.
PFK partner Trevor Birch said: "We believe this offer is worthy of consideration and could be completed without the need for a court case.
"As officers of the court, the administrators are charged with securing the best return for all creditors and therefore have to consider the offer.
"We will need to discuss the terms of the deal with the PFA and the Football League and also plan to consult the creditors' committee as a matter of urgency. We will provide an update as soon as we have further news."
The PST had an offer provisionally accepted by PFK last year but have been unable to agree a price with former owners Portpin for the club's Fratton Park home.
The PST hopes the High Court hearing - three times adjourned already and now set for 14 February - will force Portpin to lower their fixed asking price and pave the way for a takeover.
To find out more about live football on Sky Sports, Click here
Pope, who has scored 27 goals so far this season, was set to be out of contract at the end of the current campaign but has committed his future to the League Two leaders.
"I think everyone can recognise the contribution of Tom this season, both as a goalscorer and through his hard work for the team," said Vale manager Micky Adams.
"That contribution has been rightly rewarded and I welcome the opportunity to work with him for the remainder of this season and beyond."
Stoke-on-Trent-born Pope, 27, added: "I've made no secret of my desire to stay and I'm really pleased we have come to an agreement on a new deal.
"I know people have been talking about my goal tally this season but I think that's down to the style we play and how all of the players work for each other.
"The gaffer has put a lot of faith in me and I'm really pleased I have been able to repay that faith by committing to the club for a further term."
The 18-year-old, who has scored four goals this season, suffered the injury in training last month ahead of the Scottish Communities League Cup semi-final against Inverness and has no chance of making the final against St Mirren on March 17.
Hearts manager John McGlynn said: "Callum Paterson is having an operation on his foot today.
"It looks like three months so that will take him to the end of the season.
"He is going to get a pin in his foot."
Paterson established himself as a regular after McGlynn handed him his debut in the opening game of the season against St Johnstone, and has gone on to make 27 first-team appearances.
The teenager made his debut at right-back before being moved into midfield and then up front, scoring his first two goals in a victory at Dundee United in September.
McGlynn, whose team return to Tannadice on Saturday, said: "It's a blow for the boy and a blow for the team as well.
"Callum came on the scene at 17 years of age, broke into the first team and got himself four goals. He has had a great season.
"Then after a freak training ground accident he will have to go through an operation.
"He will probably feel the whole world has caved in on him. It will take him right to the end of the season, but we will support him."
While McGlynn has lost Paterson, he is set to gain right-back Jamie Hamill, who returned to full training this morning almost 10 months after rupturing a cruciate ligament.
The former Kilmarnock player's recovery suffered a setback around the turn of the year, but extra rehabilitation work has got him back with his team-mates and he will now look for under-20s action.
"It's good to get Jamie back," McGlynn said.
"I've not had the benefit of working with Jamie.
"We won't rush him back into the first team, there is no point rushing him after all this time.
"But knowing Jamie, he will be pushing for a cup final place."
Meanwhile, midfielder Jason Holt is expected to shake off an ankle injury, which forced him out of the Scotland Under-21 squad, to be fit for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash on Tayside.
