The Daily Echo understands there are TEN wealthy individuals prepared to pump money into Saints.

As the Michael Wilde camp battled for control of Southampton FC it was made clear that new money would come into the club if they won control from Rupert Lowe. It was believed this would take the form of a few wealthy individuals but the Echo can today reveal that the number of people waiting to put cash into the club if the conditions are right runs in to double figures.

A source close to the negotiations told the Daily Echo: "There are ten people who have said they will each invest money into the club. Each one of these ten is seriously wealthy.

"The club are currently carrying out a 60-day review of the finances and that will be important to convince these investors to part with their money.

"Nobody in their right mind, even in football where investment is generally ruled by the heart rather than the head, would put money into the club until they could see the full financial information.

"This is why such a thorough review of the club's finances is already taking place at quite a pace. Meetings have already happened with these potential investors and will continue over the next days and weeks.

"If the right conditions are met and when the precise nature of the funding required is ascertained this new money' can come into the club."