SWEDISH club Halmstad believe the ball is firmly in Saints' court if they want Mikael Nilsson before the start of the season, writes JEREMY WILSON.

The Euro 2004 player is the subject of negotiations between the two clubs after signing a pre-contract agreement to come to St Mary's when his current deal in Sweden runs out at the end of November.

Saints boss Paul Sturrock has admitted he would ideally like the player to join up with his squad for forthcoming pre-season trips to Austria and Sweden.

But Halmstad are understood to have turned down an offer in the region of £350,000 for the player.

The Swedish league-leaders want more like £500,000 for Nilsson, who has been their best player this season.

Part of the problem, apparently, is that Halmstad have to pay a large sum of any fee from Saints to Nilsson's two previous clubs. A source close to Halmstad said: "Mikael Nilsson has been the club's best player this season and they will not want to lose him for nothing. But they certainly want more that what has been offered and they feel the ball is back in Southampton's court."

Saints described their offer as "substantial" and Sturrock, pictured, said: "At the moment he is contracted to Halmstad until November but he has signed an agreement to come to us then. Obviously I would like him here for the start of the season and for pre-season training.

"He played out of position at full-back for most of Euro 2004 but we are bringing him in as a wide right or wide left midfielder."