Southampton have paid ‘significantly less’ than the suggested £4m fee for Nathan Jones, according to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook.

The Lowdown: Jones unveiled

The Premier League side announced the Welshman as their new manager on a three-and-a-half-year deal on Thursday morning following the sacking of Ralph Hasenhuttl earlier this week.

The Saints have also appointed coaches Chris Cohen & Alan Sheehan to join the 49-year-old in the dugout, though there’s been some contrasting claims regarding the compensation figure paid.

John Percy claimed that the two clubs had agreed a fee of over £4m in order to secure his services, but following a fresh update, it sounds like that isn’t actually the case.

The Latest: Crook’s update

Taking to Twitter, Crook revealed that Southampton aren’t splashing out anywhere near the reported price, though what that exact fee is yet remains to be seen. He wrote:

“Also told the compensation #SaintsFC are paying is significantly less than £4m.”

The Verdict: Risk worth taking

Southampton appointing Jones is a huge risk given he’s never held a senior position in the top flight before, but surely it’s one worth taking looking at his track record at Kenilworth Road.

The Rhondda-born coach has only lost 82 of his 303 matches in charge (winning 143 and drawing 78), whilst averaging 1.67 points per match (Transfermarkt).

Luton reached the Championship playoffs last season which saw Jones being awarded the manager of the season title, and this is exactly the level of consistency and success that the Saints need to instil at St. Mary’s.