With the news that Lander Holdings Gao Jisheng is struggling to pass the fit and proper test for the Premier League more information is emerging about a potential rival ready to step in.
Paul Nicholson of Inside World Football claims that Lander's problems have been due to thewith getting money out of China with the government tightening up on letting money go out of the country for what they see as overpriced investments.
But if that problem was not enough he also has the fact he hasn't yet got the money raised and the Premier league fit and proper test to contend with.
However according to Nicholson the consortium bidding to take over the running to buy Saints is not just Chinese based but also has Hong Kong investors and the former British Colony being a financial hub, does not have the restrictions of China itself.
The identity of those involved has not yet been revealed, but they seem to be briefing media sources on their intentions.
The advisors on the acquisition are Blackbridge Cross Borders, a financial advisory firm led by Alexander Jarvis that specialises in sports deals and has a strong focus on Chinese football investment via its sports division.
Founder of the company Jarvis commented on his twitter feed this morning.
"Gao Jisheng has had his bid for Southampton blocked by the Premier League after an investigation linked him to bribery and execution. Ouch"
Even though Gao the man at the centre of the Premier League's concerns failed the Premier League tests, even if he had passed it was looking unlikely that he had the money to proceed at his disposal. In recent weeks he had been prospecting in mainland China for new investing partners.
With Katharina Liebherr publicly stating she would not just sell the club to anyone and that she would look carefully at any prospective owner, it could be that she is getting cold feet about Lander, although it is in her interests to play her cards close to her chest and not say a lot at present either way.
The new kids on the block are being rumoured to be ready to pay Katharina Liebherr £225 million to secure Saints although like the Lander deal the exact details are sketchy at present and it is still unclear if this would be for the whole club or just a portion of it and if so how much.