SAINTS owner Katharina Liebherr is reportedly in talks to sell the club to a Chinese company.

Respected international business news company Bloomberg reported that talks have taken place with the Lander Sports Development Company with regards to a potential £200m sale.

Chinese companies have recently turned their attentions to English clubs after President Xi Jinping stated he wanted to turn the nation into a major footballing force.

Four Midlands clubs - West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa, Wolves and Birmingham City - have recently been taken over by Chinese companies, with Saints' Premier League rivals Hull City potentially being taken over by Hong Kong-based GreaterChina Professional Services Ltd.

Lander focused on the sale and management of property until last year but more recently has shifted to sports.

Its ventures include a sports insurance collaboration with Du-Bang Property & Casualty Insurance, and winter sports in China, which will host the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Bloomberg reports that a Premier League team would be among Lander's biggest assets and the company announced a loss of about $44.8million last year.

Saints had a £12million profit and will benefit from the Premier League's new lucractive TV contact, which is the biggest in history.

There is speculation that Lander's interest in Saints could be inspired by the club's academy, which has produced players including Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale, Manchester United defender Luke Shaw and Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana.

Saints are tomorrow hosting Inter Milan in a Europa League tie.

The Italian giants were themselves taken over by a Chinese company - Suning Holdings - earlier this year.

Libeherr's father, Markus, rescued Saints from potential oblivion when he bought the club in July 2009 after previous owners Southampton Leisure Holdings PLC had gone into administration.