SAINTS have received an improved offer from Chinese firm Lander Sports Development to buy the club, according to a national newspaper.

The Times are reporting that Lander are proposing to purchase a 100 per cent stake in Saints for £190m, with the intention of conducting a phased takeover.

That would mean the China-based company would buy into the club before later on taking full control.

The Times adds that Saints owner Katharina Liebherr rejected an offer of £180m in January, but the property development firm have returned with a new bid that is nearer to her valuation.

As such, the newspaper adds negotiations are said to be at an advanced stage.

As the Daily Echo has previously reported, Liebherr has held discussions with the Chinese group since last year.

Back in November Lander entered a six-week exclusivity period with the club, which ended in January with no agreement reached.

Liebherr was keen, though, not to rush into any sale and has been conducting her due diligence to ensure Saints does not fall into the wrong hands.

Reports suggest that she plans to retain a few of her shares, at least in hte short term, to provide continuity.

Earlier this year, Liebherr, who inherited the club from her father Markus, penned a letter to Saints fans in an attempt to clarify her position in the midst of takeover talk.

In one section of the statement she said she'd only act in the best interests for the club.

She wrote: "Please understand that I can only make limited comments regarding this process but I can assure you that any steps we do take will be in the best interests of the club. A potential partnership would need to clear multiple approvals and fulfil strict criteria before being confirmed.

"The Premier League is increasingly competitive; we need to keep moving forward and look to new markets for commercial growth, innovation and to share our journey. Together we have had many years of progression and success, and ensuring this continues is the main focus of any possible partnership."

This news of another reported bid comes after the release of Saints' financial accounts.

Daily Echo chief sports writer, Adam Leitch, asked Saints chief executive Gareth Rogers directly about the possibility of outside investment in the club in a face-to-face interview last week.

Rogers replied: "The answer is relatively easy and not going to make a great answer, but the statement was made by the owner of the club, and as you know from that statement there is a process ongoing.

"It’s a process that is legally bound by confidentially and is therefore not something I can talk about or am willing to talk about because quite frankly it’s not the right thing to do, or something I am able to do."

More to follow...