THEY are some of the biggest stars in the world – and they could have been playing in St Mary’s this summer.

Club bosses were in talks to bring Take That, Rod Stewart and The Eagles to the stadium for a lucrative summer of music that could have brought in tens of thousands of pounds, the Daily Echo can reveal.

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But the financial woes – and possibility that the stadium may not be open for business – have dashed all hopes of bringing A-list names for concerts.

The news will disappoint fans of all ages with the born again boy band one of the hottest tickets in the UK this year, Rod Stewart an eternal flame for many women of a certain age and The Eagles a legendary band from the United States.

John O’Sullivan, Saints’ commercial director, said: “The club were actively in discussions over a number of events for the summer which included people like Rod Stewart, The Eagles and possibly Take That but we couldn’t finalise them because of the current situation.

“To do anything beyond the next four or five weeks wouldn’t be right because we are unable to guarantee that we can deliver.”

St Mary’s has permission for four gigs a year and has previously seen rockers Bon Jovi strut their stuff twice on the hallowed ground as well as British pop favourite Elton John.