More parties interested in Saints

Southampton administrator Mark Fry has revealed that two new parties have shown serious interest in buying the Hampshire club.

The Pinnacle group, fronted by Saints legend Matthew Le Tissier were favourites to buy the League One outfit, but last Friday saw an end to their exclusivity period and they were unable to close the deal to buy the club.

Monday saw another dramatic twist in the deal, when the Football League called for a meeting to discuss the situation at St. Mary’s.

The conclusion of the meeting resulted in Pinnacle not striking a deal, but having to put in writing that they would not appeal the ten points given to Southampton after going into administration.

This opened the window for other interested parties to communicate with administrator Mark Fry.

Fry chose not to extend Pinnacle’s exclusivity deal, which he explained in a statement: ‘However when presented with these facts at the end of the exclusivity agreement last Friday, I was not convinced that this was sufficient reason to extend the group’s exclusivity, and as such reopened negotiations with other interested parties.’

Fry is still aware that a deal with Pinnacle could be met, but is committed to talking to other parties: ‘There is still the possibility that Pinnacle will complete their proposed takeover, however, I am led to believe that this is reliant on receiving a favourable response from the Football League.’

Dorset businessman Marc Jackson has shown his interest in buying Southampton and this week has revealed his desire to appoint Peter Reid as manager.

However, Fry continued to explain the new interest in Southampton: ‘There are two other parties that have expressed a genuine interest in the purchase of Southampton Football Club and I have spent this week in very detailed discussions with those parties.

‘On Thursday I met with the representatives of a bid that is coming from abroad and who have funds available to complete a takeover.

‘I am expecting to hear back from them by the early part of next week as to whether they would like to push ahead and complete the purchase of the club.’