IT could be just a coincidence - a football-mad billionaire sails his yacht into Southampton just as Saints are looking for a new owner.

But this isn't American tycoon Paul Allen, who has been linked with the club, but Russian Oleg Deripaska, who is equally as rich and equally as sports-mad.

The Daily Echo has learned that Deripaska's superyacht Queen K will arrive in Southampton docks tomorrow. It is not known whether her owner will be on board, but Saints fans will be speculating that this may be more than a coincidence.

The 238ft floating palace is owned by 39-year-old aluminium magnate Mr Deripaska who has been rumoured to want to buy an English football club.

He is a former business partner of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and currently owns a football club in his own country.

Last year he was linked with a £350m bid to take over Arsenal.

After their failure to return to the Premiership this season, speculation is rife that a takeover of Saints is imminent.

See today's Daily Echo for the full story.