Despite numerous press reports that Morgan Schneiderlin was about to sign for Manchester United within hours it has now emerged that no serious bid has yet been lodged.
Ronald Koeman has confirmed that Saints have yet to receive a "serious" bid from Manchester United despite the fact that various news sources have been reporting that the transfer is within hours of being completed.
Such is the tipsy turvy world of football it appears that Schneiderlin's agent has already agreed terms with United but so far United have yet to make a serious offer.
Koeman has admitted that this is not surprising in a transfer deal but it is frustrating for Saints who appear resigned to losing Schneiderlin and must surely wish that United start to act with maturity and get serious rather than make derisory offers.
In an ideal world Saints would lay a strict deadline down and inform both United and Schneiderlin himself that should there be no significant offer on the table by then that looks like coming t a swift conclusion then then will not listen to any further offers in this transfer window.
That is of course pie in the sky in the modern game when it is all about clandestine deals don by agents followed by th buying club trying to get a deal done on the cheap because they have already effectively agreed things with the player and can use him to put pressure on his current club to sell.
From a Saints point of view the club want to move forward and build for next season, they cannot do this until Manchester United get serious.