Southampton’s new Chinese owners have no plans to inject additional capital into the business or to spend money on new players because the takeover was largely financed via a bank loan and contributions from third-party investors.

The club announced that Jisheng Gao had paid £210 million for an 80 per cent stake in the club on Monday after Katharina Liebherr, the former owner, said that fresh investment was needed to cement Southampton’s position as a top-ten Premier League club, but did not release any financial details.

Mauricio Pellegrino, the manager, is aware of the situation, however, and has been told not to expect any additional transfer funds this month.

Gao’s takeover bid was a fraught process lasting more than 12 months with the Chinese businessman