Radhi Jaidi’s proposed transfer to Saints is in major doubt after it was revealed he may struggle to gain a work permit.

The 33-year-old centre half has passed a medical at Saints and agreed provisional terms on a contract.

But it has been revealed late on that he may struggle to get the necessary work permit to be able to play in England due to not having played the required number of international matches for Tunisia in the last 12 months.

Saints boss Alan Pardew said this lunchtime that the deal was not dead but confirmed it had hit a major snag.

Bosses at St Mary’s are taking advice before deciding how to proceed but they will not apply for a work permit unless they are confident of it being granted.

Pardew added that he is tracking other targets but he has had a boost at centre half with Wayne Thomas fit for the season opener against Millwall on Saturday.