SAINTS could be just days away from making their first Stock Market announcement since April regarding a possible takeover.

The club's PLC board havc met to consider a swathe of potential bids.

But, of the six discussed by directors, three were ruled out immediately.

The board agreed that negotiations should continue with the other three interested parties, though no formal bid has been received from any of them.

None of the six bids were anything to do with the Dubai International Capital group owned by Sheikh Maktoum, who were linked with a potential Saints bid last Friday.

The Daily Echo can also reveal that American billionaire Paul Allen was NOT one of the interested parties discussed at the meeting.

Despite that - and the Allen camp's previous denials about investing in Saints - some high level sources at the club still insist a potential deal with the Microsoft co-founder is NOT dead yet.

One of the three bids that is still being considered is believed to be from a London-based investment broker, while the other two are individuals heading up a possible bid.

The Daily Echo understands a Stock Market announcement from the club could be forthcoming within days.

Back on April 27, the club issued a statement to the Stock Exchange in the wake of Allen's rumoured interest.

But that was the last official statement made on any potential takeover.

Keep up-to-date with Saints on tour in Norway every day this week with our reporter Adam Leitch and photographer Chris Moorhouse - only in the Daily Echo.