Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen are to speak today in what is seen as the last major attempt to broker a deal.
The leaders are taking a more prominent role after negotiators for the two sides said “significant divergences” remained following a week of intensive talks.
“If there is still a way, we will see,” EU negotiator Michel Barnier said.
Sticking points include fishing rights, rules on state subsidies for business and arrangements for policing any deal.
The UK left the EU on 31 January but is still under EU trading rules until a transition period ends on 31 December.
One source close to the negotiations on the UK side suggested there had been a more optimistic outlook earlier in the week but pointed to demands for EU fishing boats to have 10-year access to UK waters as one issue that derailed progress.
Speaking to reporters in London as he prepared to return to Brussels, Mr Barnier said: “We keep calm, as always, and if there is still a way, we will see.”
The French Government have suggested the country could veto a deal if it was not satisfied. French President Emmanuel Macron has been keen to ensure the fishing industry will not lose too much access to British waters.
Meanwhile a spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel said there was “always room for compromise”.
Brexiteers are hopeful that a full and clean Brexit is possible if the UK leaves with No Deal on the 31st.
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