Southampton are set to become the next Premier League club to go under the hammer because of the crippling financial impact of the coronavirus crisis.
Saints supremo Gao Jisheng, who holds an 80 per cent stake in the south coast outfit, is stepping up efforts to find a buyer as the costs of the 2019-20 season being suspended spiral.
Before the campaign was brought to an abrupt halt five weeks ago, Jisheng wanted £250million to part company with his share at St Mary's.
But it is now thought that asking price has been slashed to £200m - in an attempt to encourage several potential buyers to launch a takeover as soon as possible.