SAINTS IN £1.75 MILLION SWOOP FOR ORMEROD

The transfer would mark a record fee for a player from Blackpool, previously held by Trevor Sinclair following his move to QPR in 1993 for £750,000.  Ormerod will now have to undergo a medical and agree personal terms, although it is believed that he is close to doing so.

The 25-year-old striker has smashed an incredible 20 goals so far this season and attracted the attention of numerous scouts.  Southampton have stumped up an initial £1.5 million, which could rise to the full £1.75 million depending on appearances.

Ormerod had been with the Bloomfield Road outfit since 1997, after being bought from Accrington Stanley for just £50,000.

Speaking to the official Blackpool website, chairman Karl Oyston said: "It's not concluded as yet, the deal is subject to a medical and the player's personal terms but the most important elements of the deal are sorted.

"It has been a long drawn out affair, but anything involving money generally is.  It is tinged with sadness because we are not in a position where we have to sell our best players in order to survive but when Steve and I negotiated Brett's last contract we said we wouldn't stand in his way if he had a chance to better himself and we all agree going to play in The Premiership is bettering himself.

"From Brett's point of view it's a dream come true, for any footballer it's a dream to go and play in The Premier league.  He's earned that, he's a model professional and a really nice lad.  I think every Blackpool supporter should not begrudge him taking this opportunity and grabbing it with both hands, I'm sure he'll make the most of it.

"He's always given his all for the club right up to the end for this club and I'm sure he will for Southampton in the future.

"There has been loads of figures bandied around since all this began, the fee could rise to £1.75 million depending how Brett performs and how often he figures in the team at Southampton.  I imagine he'll figure very regularly, I think he has the ability, so it should rise to one and three quarter million pounds and that should give us an opportunity to strengthen the squad.  It puts us into a position we've never been in before, certainly while I've been here, we will have money to spend.

"I think most people agree Brett is worth every penny, he's a committed player and I think he's capable, Gordon Strachan's no fool, he's a sound judge of a players qualities.

"The manager shares my sentiments on Brett, we wish him well.  The money will give us a chance to strengthen in all areas and overall it'll probably be a net benefit to the club but that is difficult at the moment when one of your best players leaves the club.

"We've tried to do things right from this end, we've done a lot of homework and have made offers when it seemed Brett may get a move and we've got some offers away and sorted before Brett's departure.  It's now just down to whether others try to exploit us, now we have a few pounds.  We are not going to be parted from it and we'll shop around. Steve has his eye on a few players so we are not limited to just one or two so it's up to us now to sort things out."

Strachan has moved to strengthen Southampton's striking options, although it would appear that Agustin Delgado's position has worsened after being told he would not play until he learns English.