Saints look set to have to go to a tribunal to agree a fee for Nathaniel Clyne after Crystal Palace co-owner Steve Browett said the club were ‘taking the mick’ with their offer for the right back.

Clyne is a Saints player after agreeing a four-year deal at St Mary’s following the expiry of his contract at Selhurst Park but Palace are entitled to a compensation fee due to his age and his development with the club.

It appeared a compromise had been reached when Clyne completed the formalities of his move but Browett says that is not the case and is angry with Saints for their offer.

Palace had been reported to value Clyne at about £4m, but it is thought that was a negotiating position and a fee of around £2.5m would be agreed.

However, it now appears inevitable that the clubs will be heading for a tribunal to settle the dispute with negotiations having broken down.

Browett told Crystal Palace fan’s website cpfc.org : “I don’t know what the ‘reported’ compensation offer was for Clyney but I know what the real offer is and yes, Southampton are taking the mick.

“We think that we have developed one of Britain’s finest young defenders through our academy and then given him great experience playing first-team football. He’s certainly got the ability to be a very good Premier League player and we will not be accepting their offer but going to tribunal.

“It’s a no-brainer for us because what they have offered is so low.

“We got £750,000 for Bostock, who had played one league game, whereas Nathaniel’s development is way in advance of that and so should be the fee.

“It’s annoying that it can’t be sorted out sensibly. Nevertheless the compensation should be far more than they have offered.”