Realistically I don't see anyone being 'pipped to the post' - I don't think we're a sort after commodity, certainly not enough to start a frenzied bidding war (which we have obviously seen since July).
Not to mention that it takes around 3 months for anyone to get through the process so you can see a 'competitor' coming a mile off.
With regards to timings, I would hazard a guess that the front runner would be tee'ing everything up to hit the ground running come the summer - but then it depends on their plans maybe a season in lg 2 is ok for them, who knows.
Also, in football new management etc can be implemented in no time, see it happen all the time.
It's just my thought, but if I was in the position to buy the club (and not a fan) I wouldn't take on the costs from now until the end of the season without the prospect of any income, it doesn't make much sense to me, but then again buying Wigan if you're not a local or a fan makes no sense to me either ha!