Ralph Hasenhuttl has let slip that there seem to be ongoing takeover talks between Southampton Football Club and unamed potential investors to buy Gao's 80% share in the club.
I have been aware for some time that there has been potential interest in buying the club, although I cannot give any sort of indication of who these people are or where they are from.
My understanding has been that talks are ongoing but in recent weeks things have moved up to another level.
It is no secret that Gao wants to sell his share, he has his critics but the situation that we and indeed he finds himself in is not of his own doing, but due to the Chinese Government who when he bought the club were encouraging investment from China in Western sport such as athletics and football reversed that policy after falling out with the USA.
Gao has had offers to sell the club, but he has turned them down and refused to sell unless he thought the deal was right for Saints, those that have vilified him for not putting money in have also incorrectly claimed he was only in it for profit, given he hasn't managed to sell the club in the last couple of years that is clearly not the case as shown by not taking money out when it has been available, back in the summer for example when Danny Ings was sold, it would have been easy for him to pocket the money.
Gao might not have been the owner that we hoped he would be, but despite what some would rant on social media he has done us no wrong.
Ralph Hasenhuttl intriguingly when quizzed on any potential takeover had this to say.
"Yes, nearly every day I get information from Martin [Semmens]. We speak about this a lot.
"All I can say is that as soon as there is news they will tell you, everyone will know about it. There is nothing new right now but as soon as there is the club will put it out."
The fact that Hasenhuttl can speak openly about the situation and teasingly point to the fact that there may be something happening soon is a positive sign that there could be new owners, hopefully they will have the club's interest at heart, ask Burnley fans what they think of their new owners.