Premier League bosses could deliver a make-or-break verdict on Saints’ potential £200m Chinese takeover in the next week.

A top flight panel is due to rule whether Lander Holdings boss Gao Jisheng has passed the fit and proper persons test.

If Gao gets the thumbs up then he will be able to push ahead with his plans to buy an 80 per cent stake in Saints from Katharina Liebherr.

If the verdict goes against him then there is the prospect of a messy battle involving teams of lawyers and the possibility the deal will be shelved, with Saints then looking elsewhere to secure investment in the club.

Gao and Liebherr pleaded their case to a Premier League panel after concerns were raised about accusations made against the Chinese entrepreneur dating back a number of years.

It is understood that Gao disputes the version of events that has been portrayed in sections of the media and was confident enough to argue his case in person rather than purely through lawyers.

There is thought to be a degree of optimism that Gao’s potential ownership at St Mary’s will be allowed to progress, but with the Premier League increasingly scrutinising possible new owners of top flight clubs it is far from certain.

There is a chance the rules could even be changed when the Premier League holds it’s AGM on June 8.

Whether that happens or not remains to be seen, but Saints hope they will learn the verdict on Gao before that.

Should he get the nod to move ahead, the only barrier remaining in place will be the rather significant matter of paying around £210m for a majority stake.

Liebherr will continue to own the other 20 per cent and take an active role in running the club.

Liebherr, who inherited the club from her late father Markus, is understood to have been keen for the deal to progress, having struck up a friendship with Gao’s daughter, Nelly, and the two having developed a vision for a bright future for Saints.

Despite that, the two barriers that remain to be cleared are the most significant, and so, as chairman Ralph Krueger explained last week, there is no certainty of a deal being concluded.

Krueger also emphasised that should Lander not end up taking control of Saints then the club will continue business as usual while actively seeking investment from elsewhere.

Liebherr wants the club to push forward, and doesn’t feel that can happen under her ownership given the vast sums of money required for Saints to make the next step up.

What does seem clear is that the Saints hierarchy want a conclusion to the Lander deal one way or the other quickly now after months of talks.