By the time you read this, European member states may have already cast their final opinion on the proposed Universal/EMI merger.
An EU advisory committe, made up of regulatory representatives from up to 27 individual EU states, is due to meet this afternoon to vote on whether to approve the £1.2bn acquisition, according to sources.
When contacted by Music Week, the EC refused to comment on when the advisory group was due to cast their votes.
The body has until September 27 to make a public announcement on the decision, with national newspaper reports suggesting an approval with heavy remedies is likely.
The importance of the advisory committee's vote may not just be limited to the EC: sources suggesting that the final decision from the US senate's sub-committee will also be led by the European outcome.
For the deal to be completed, Universal will need to successfully sell divested assets in order to meet EC regulatory approval. These are likely to include Parlophone in the UK.
Rights management company BMG has emerged as an early front-runner for top-level divestments, which may also include Virgin Records and the Pink Floyd catalogue.
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