SAINTS are now the 18th highest revenue generating club in world football.

The club had revenues of £182.3m in 2016/17, according to this month's Deloitte Football Money League.

Saints' involvement in the Europa League and top ten finishes in the Premier League have meant they've jumped into the top 20 for the first time.

The St Mary's outfit enter the running ahead of Italian giants Napoli and Everton.

Just nine per cent (£16.6m) of Saints revenue last term came from match days, while 12 per cent (£22.4m) came in via commercial streams.

A staggering 79 per cent of the £182.3m came in via broadcast revenue. That's £143m from the Premier League's huge broadcast contracts.

Manchester United are the world's richest club, hauling in £581.2m last year.

Spanish giants Real Madrid (£579.7m) and Barcelona (£557.1m) follow behind, while Bayern Munich (£505.1m) and Manchester City (£453.5m) complete the top five.

Within the Deloitte report, it states: "Southampton enter the Money League top 20 for the first time as they consolidated their top ten Premier League status with an eighth place finish and reached the Europa League Group stage.

"Europa League participation, coupled with the new Premier League broadcast contracts, boosted broadcast revenue to £143m, a growth of 58%. Southampton’s broadcast revenue alone would be sufficient to see them in 26th place in the Money League.

"Despite Southampton having the lowest commercial revenue of all Money League clubs, it was boosted by a three-year record deal with Virgin Media.

"Southampton will face a challenge to retain their top 20 Money League position in future editions after failing to qualify for UEFA competitions in 2017/18, especially with Money League regulars AS Roma returning to the Champions League.

"However, continued consolidation of a Premier League top ten position would represent real success for the Saints, who as recently as 2010/11 were competing in the third tier of English football."

Here is the top 20:

  • 1 Manchester United £581.2m
  • 2 Real Madrid 579.7m
  • 3 FC Barcelona £557.1m
  • 4 Bayern Munich £505.1m
  • 5 Manchester City £453.5m
  •  6 Arsenal £419m
  • 7 Paris Saint-Germain £417.8m
  • 8 Chelsea £367.8m
  • 9 Liverpool £364.5m
  • 10 Juventus £348.6m
  • 11 Tottenham Hotspur £305.6m
  •  12 Borussia Dortmund £285.8m
  • 13 Atletico de Madrid £234.2m
  • 14 Leicester City £233m
  • 15 Internazionale £225.2m
  • 16 Schalke 04 £197.8m
  • 17 West Ham United £183.3m
  • 18 SAINTS £182.3m
  • 19 Napoli £172.5m
  •  20 Everton £171.2m