The prospect of a takeover at Southampton is fading.

The Daily Echo says Saints' Chinese takeover hangs in the balance with optimism starting to fade at St Mary's that Lander Holdings will complete a £200m deal for the club.

Negotiations over the terms of the deal ended some months ago.

All that really stands in the way of the Chinese firm buying a stake of around 80 per cent in the club from current owner Katharina Liebherr is for the financial transaction to take place.

Up until now though that has not happened, and it is believed that the long wait is leading Saints to press ahead with other plans on the assumption that the deal will not be completed.