Serbian businessman Dragan Solak, founder of the United Group, is taking over a controlling stake in Southampton FC, Sky News reported.

Sky News reported that Solak struck a deal worth £100m to buy the club which sits 14th in the table and is ten points clear of the relegation zone.

“Mr Solak is understood to be behind a new holding company which will examine offers for clubs in other international leagues, replicating a strategy employed by the owners of Manchester City,” it said.

Former Brentford co-director of football, Rasmus Ankersen, as well as London-based investor, Henrik Kraft, are also reportedly involved in the Southampton takeover.

With the deal, the majority ownership of Gao Jisheng, a Chinese businessman who bought an 80% stake in the club in 2017, is coming to an end.