SAINTS players reportedly had a 40 per cent wage reduction clause inserted in their contracts in the event of relegation to the Championship.

The St Mary’s side will be stripped of their Premier League status at the end of the season with Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat to Fulham confirming relegation.

After 11 years in the top division, the fixtures versus Brighton & Hove Albion at Amex Stadium and Liverpool at St Mary’s will be their final Premier League games for at least a season.

Competing in the Championship can see a revenue reduction of between £50million-£100million to the Premier League due to broadcast deals, matchday revenue and commercial activities.

As a result, it is customary for Premier League clubs to insert clauses in the player contracts dictating an automatic decrease in wages to bring them further in line with the new expected spending.

Typically, these clauses can be between a 15 and 40 per cent reduction. The Athletic has reported that Saints players have a 40 per cent reduction clause in their contracts.

The report also suggests this could leave to some players having an increased desire to leave the club in the upcoming summer transfer window, which opens next month.

The club's adjusted club cash flow losses for the financial year cannot exceed certain thresholds in order to meet new Football League financial fair play regulations.

Saints can still negotiate new contracts with improved or reduced terms for their players in line with standard procedure, following the action of any clauses.