SAINTS directors are still hopeful Paul Allen WILL make an official takeover bid for the club.

The Daily Echo understands that some board members are still telling supporters that Allen's interest is by no means over.

That's despite his own spokesman, Michael Nanke, revealing to both the Press Association and the Daily Echo that the Microsoft co-founder won't be bidding for the club.

He told the Daily Echo more than a fortnight ago that Allen was not interested in investing in Saints, but this newspaper decided not to publish at the time because we were told by high-level sources that a deal was still quite likely.

But Nanke made a similar comment to the worldwide Press Association on Thursday night.

Saints yesterday declined to comment on Nanke's statements - either to the Echo, on the club's own website or to the Stock Market.

Some supporters remain hopeful that Nanke's comments are a smokescreen, and that Allen is still very interested.

Despite negotiations starting in January - the Echo believe around five meetings have taken place with Saints officials and English-based intermediaries acting on behalf of Allen.

Full story in today's Daily Echo