The battle to buy Southampton Football Club is now a two horse race, the Daily Echo can reveal today.

It is understood that there are now two formal bids lodged for Saints and one could be recommended by the end of the week.

It is believed that Southampton Leisure Holdings administrator Mark Fry set a deadline of yesterday for bids to be received.

By last night there were two bids in his possession.

One is understood to be the bid being represented by the Pinnacle group.

That has the backing of Saints legend Matt Le Tissier who could return to the club in some capacity if it is accepted.

The other bid is believed to be from a consortium led by Southampton and London based businessmen with one major financier behind it.

Both parties are understood to have been invited to the club for talks today.

Keep logging back to the Daily Echo website for further updates