Ridsdale is head of the takeover consortium

Doyle has told Ridsdale he has until Friday at 1700 BST to confirm the takeover or pull out altogether.

The former Barnsley mayor has been involved in protracted talks with a consortium led by Ridsdale all week over the sale of the cash-strapped Tykes.

And amid mounting speculation that the deal had hit another snag, Doyle warned Ridsdale to act quickly.

"It's coming to the point now when all the hand-shaking has got to stop," Doyle said.

"We must have shaken hands about seven times on it and now we need a straight yes or no."

Feature: Ridsdale's Barnsley quest

Doyle is understood to have issued a threat that he would close the financially-stricken Second Division club unless a deal could be agreed.

Doyle paid �3.5m for the club shortly after it had been placed in the hands of administrators by former chairman John Dennis last October.

The new Tykes chief has endured a rough ride since taking control at Oakwell, where he has been losing upwards of �100,000 per week.

Doyle has complained bitterly about his treatment by a section of fans as well as the local press, and has received threats and hate mail.

This has prompted his decision to sell up and Ridsdale, who stood down as Leeds chairman at the end of March with the club almost �80m, has stepped in as he is eager to return to football.

Ridsdale is heading a consortium believed to be offering �3m for Barnsley and, even though this is understood to fall short of Doyle's asking price, the terms of the deal are close to being resolved.