SAINTS are not taking up their option to sign Eljero Elia - but are continuing to negotiate with Werder Bremen to bring the player back on a cheaper deal, according to the German club.

The Dutch winger arrived at St Mary’s on loan last January, with a view to a permanent transfer this summer.

However, the clause allowing Saints to sign him - which reportedly stood at €5.5m (about £4m) - has been seen as too expensive.

Bremen have said that the option has not been taken up, but that Saints remain interested in acquiring Elia for a lesser fee.

Sporting director Rouven Schröder told German publication Kicker: “We are in talks about other conditions.”

Elia, who was part of the Netherlands squad that reached the 2010 World Cup final, exploded onto the scene at St Mary’s, scoring twice in a 2-1 win away to Newcastle last January, in what was only his second match for the club.

After a bright start, however, his performances faded, with an ankle injury affecting him.

Elia remained a regular in the squad, but was in and out of the starting line-up.

He stated his desire at the end of the season to stay with Saints, but admitted at that stage that he did not know whether the club wanted to bring him back.

“I want to stay 100 per cent, so it is to the club what they decide,” he told the Daily Echo after the conclusion of the season.

“Otherwise, I have one contracted year with Werder Bremen.

“I will not stay at Werder Bremen, but I will go to another club then if they don’t want me.”

Elia’s willingness to return to St Mary’s is still present, and he remains popular with manager Ronald Koeman, who is likely confident that, with a full pre-season under his belt, the former Juventus player could have more of an impact.

The 28-year-old would certainly add further depth to Koeman’s squad, as the manager prepares for a campaign in which they must fight on four different fronts this term, with the Europa League having been added to their schedule.

But Bremen will clearly need to lower the asking price for him if Saints are to feel the move is a worthwhile one for them.

During his time at Saints, Elia started nine Premier League matches and made seven substitute appearances in the competition.

He also started one FA Cup game, but failed to find the net again after his brace against Newcastle.