Matty Watts looks at yesterdays takeover report in the Mail On Sunday

SOME rather mysterious Sunday newspaper comments rose to the surface following Saints’ disastrous 4-1 defeat to Crystal Palace at St Mary’s on Saturday, leaving fans to wonder just who the perpetrator might be.

Columnist Dan King, of the Mail on Sunday, returned to the subject of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s now seemingly unlikely takeover bid for the club, but added some contentious statements this time around.

In an article that begins, "Gareth Bale would have been lining up for Southampton yesterday, alongside £15 million of new signings, if would-be owner Paul Allen had his way", King draws on every supporter’s worst fears.

By suggesting that Bale joined Tottenham "despite a transatlantic phone call urging the Southampton board not to sanction the deal in May", people are asking if there was an ulterior motive in place here.

On a day when fan fury is bubbling with doubts over the team, the board, managerial decisions and a tough season, it seems like a perfect opportunity to create more hatred for the board’s actions and quite immature public disputes.

King added: "The possible departure of more key players would do little to improve his mood, but the world’s ninth richest man is most frustrated by the bad publicity generated by rival groups at St Mary’s as they waged their very public civil war."

Knowing that striker Kenwyne Jones is virtually now a Derby County player – barring any major disparity in cost – and fan anger at what seemed to be more focus on executive spats than football, these comments were well thought through.

It may be the case that someone with contacts within the Daily Mail has capitalised on a perfect opportunity to play on the fact supporters are reeling from a great missed opportunity with Allen – and to heighten tensions with the board.

However, King held out a lifeline to Saints fans: "Allen is still considering a £45m takeover, but is aware of other opportunities in the game and could leave Southampton ruing the day they drove away a benefactor with at least twice the wealth of Chelsea's Roman Abramovich."

Maybe he is suggesting the deal could be back on if some new board members – and a CHAIRMAN – are installed soon; talk suggests one Mr Rupert Lowe has been hovering around as of late.

Photo: Action Images

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