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Charlton Athletic owner Roland Duchatelet is ready to end his turbulent reign and sell the beleaguered League One club, with an Australian consortium in negotiations over a possible takeover.

Duchatelet acquired the Addicks in 2014 but his tenure has been riddled with poor results and fan unrest, with regular protests staged by supporters demanding the Belgian leave the south London side.

Those fans might soon get their wish, as Sportsmail understands Charlton are engaged in discussions with potential new owners.

The potential deal would see the purchase of both the club and the New Eltham training facility

Australian Football Consortium Ltd (AFC) are currently attempting to raise the capital necessary to buy out the Belgian, who holds 100 per cent of the shares via his holding company Staprix NV.

The mooted deal to purchase both the club and the New Eltham training facility is believed to be worth around £20million.

AFC, who have their sights on making Charlton the breeding ground for talent from Down Under, have undertaken initial due diligence with plans to turn Karl Robinson's side into 'Australia's Football Club'.

Charlton fans have protested repeatedly against Roland Duchatelet's ownership of the club

They are fronted by Gerard Murphy, a prominent management consultant from Australia who has previously been involved in various positions with Crystal Palace, the Rugby Football Union, Team GB's Olympic and Paralympic squads plus several AFL and Super 15 clubs in his home country.

Philip Aitken, the London-based chairman of multinational construction and infrastructure group Balfour Beatty, has been appointed their UK chairman.

Numerous advisers, including Australia's football head coach Ange Postecoglou and former Fulham and Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, have been brought on board.

AFC's stated aim is to return Charlton to the Premier League, though there is a desire to create a natural link between the club and Australian football, making Charlton something of a feeder club for the next generation of Aussie superstars.

Potential financial backers are being advised of significant returns on their investment based on a five-year blueprint that factors in a rise back to the top flight.

Charlton fans protest back in April 2016 demanding Belgian Duchatelet sell the club

A Charlton spokesman insisted: 'The club is not for sale and our concentration is on maintaining our League One status.' Charlton sit 16th in League One, just five points above the relegation places.

Attendances have plummeted this season, with steadfast protests at Duchatelet and chief executive Katrien Meire.

Duchatelet, who owns several sides across Europe, has barely visited The Valley during his time in charge and his administration has presided over a regular stream of managers and head coaches.

Supporters, feeling disconnected from their club, have held mock funerals outside the stadium, disrupted matches by throwing toy pigs, balls and rubber taxis onto the pitch and even staged demonstrations in Duchatelet's home town of Saint-Truiden in an effort to force the 70-year-old to sell. 

Charlton celebrate Jake Forster-Caskey's goal during Saturday's 2-1 win over Southend