Former Blackburn Rovers chairman John Williams is being linked with Southampton.
The Daily Express says Williams is the strong favourite to succeed Nicola Cortese at Southampton and is likely to be announced as the new chief executive this week.
The appointment of the lifelong Saints supporter would be seen as a hugely stabilising influence on the club, with the 64-year-old held in extremely high regard by his peers.
So far, he is the only serious candidate to have met with owner Katharina Liebherr, despite other credible names having put themselves forward - a list which reportedly includes Christian Purslow and Derek Llambias, former managing directors of Liverpool and Newcastle respectively.
