Kevin Keegan is seeking transfer cash guarantees before agreeing to join Matt Le Tissier's Southampton revolution.
The Sun says Keegan has yet to say yes to becoming new Saints manager and would want guarantees that he could raise around £20million to bring in new players and get the club promoted out of League One.
That figure would include any money he generates through sales.
The Saints have a long queue of buyers waiting to snap up the likes of midfielders Morgan Schneiderlin and Andrew Surman as well as forward Adam Lallana.