SAINTS spent just more than £6.8million on intermediary and agents’ fees between February 1, 2020 and February 1 2021, new data released by the Football Association shows.

The figure of £6,804,154 is down just more than £96,000 on the amount of £6,900,365 spent in the previous 12 months between February 1, 2019 and January 31, 2020.

Saints brought in the likes of Kyle Walker-Peters, Mohammed Salisu and Ibrahima Diallo on permanent deals over the summer, as well as the loan acquisition of Theo Walcott. The St Mary’s side also renewed contracts for an array of their playing squad.

Only the likes of West Bromwich Albion (£4.2m), Burnley (£4.5m) and Crystal Palace (£6.7m) spent less than the south coast side on agents’ fees over the 12-month period in the top-flight.

Chelsea were the biggest Premier League spenders. The Blues invested heavily last summer to bring in Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and Ben Chilwell among others and spent £35,247,822 on agents’ fees.

Manchester City were the next highest spenders with £30,174,615, while their neighbours Manchester United spent slightly less – £29,801,555.

In total, Premier League clubs spent £272,220,223 on such fees, despite clubs suffering major losses due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The total was actually higher than the amount spent by Premier League sides between February 1, 2019 and January 31, 2020, when the figure was £263,368,860.

Spending on agents’ fees was down by more than £9million in the Championship compared to the previous 12 months.

Second-tier clubs splashed out £40,753,529 in total between February 2020 and February 2021, with league leaders Norwich spending the most – £6,827,037.

Spending on agents was also slightly down in Leagues One and Two compared to the previous 12 months.