The Scottish Premier League says the path is clear for "detailed work" to begin on the formation of an SPL2.
Officials from Scotland's 12 top-tier clubs met at Hampden on Thursday to discuss the issue.
SPL secretary Iain Blair said: "It is almost three years since we tabled the proposal for change.
"Our aim is to complete this process, which is likely to involve discussion with the Scottish Football League, by the summer."
The SFL has so far opposed a bid to introduce an SPL2, which would see the creation a new top-flight structure of 22 clubs playing in two divisions.
It claimed that it would breach a previous agreement between the two bodies.
That settlement agreement, set up in 1998, detailed issues such as promotion, relegation and parachute payments.
Last month, the Scottish FA's arbitration panel concluded that a second tier would not breach the agreement.
Blair said on Thursday that the clubs had agreed to hold further talks.
"This is the beginning of a process, not the end," he added.
Dundee United chairman Steven Thompson, who attended the meeting, said nothing had been finalised.
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