Southend United have been placed under a fresh transfer embargo as the club's takeover saga drags on. The National League website said the embargo had been imposed for non-compliance with financial regulations. Southend's manager Kevin Maher was previously unable to recruit new players for half of the season due to a 15-month transfer embargo, which was lifted in December. The club has been dogged by financial problems for several years, but chairman Ron Martin exchanged contracts last December for a takeover by a consortium headed by Australian businessman Justin Rees. Despite this, the buy-out has not been concluded because of an ongoing local council due-diligence exercise over housing contracts involving Southend's Roots Hall stadium. A winding-up petition, lodged by legal firm Stewarts Law LLP, was adjourned for six weeks on Wednesday to allow the takeover to be completed. The judge made it clear that it would be the final adjournment before the club faces liquidation. Southend's supporters will need assurances that they will have a club by August 10 before even beginning to think about on-field issues. The club's financial problems have been a major concern for several years, and the new transfer embargo will only add to the uncertainty surrounding the club's future. Southend's players and staff will be anxiously waiting to see how the situation unfolds in the coming weeks. The club's fans will be hoping that the takeover can be completed as soon as possible, to allow manager Kevin Maher to build a promotion-challenging squad. The future of Southend United remains uncertain, but one thing is clear - the club needs a resolution to the takeover saga as soon as possible.